The Halls

In The Last Two Months....

2010-11-02T22:09:00.001-07:00

Jordan started first grade at Candil Hall and is loving it. He is a great reader and loves math. He is still that amazing big brother that adores his little sister and watches her every move. Jordan is playing soccer for the F.C. Warriors Club and he/we love it. He will be starting basketball at the YMCA for the winter season.

Our indoor soccer team won (another) championship ;)

We went to Chris' ten year reunion and had a really good time. (You also realize there was a reason you have not seen 'some' of these people since high school.)

We absolutely had to go to the pumpkin patch!

Candil Hall had the annual Halloween Carnival that always turns out great. This is his fabulous and amazing teacher, his Aunt Brandi! (And yes that is my son in the Scream mask, no he has not seen scream but I could not shake him of this costume, it was a must have. Oh and yes that is my husband coming out of the door in an Inmate Shirt, what you can't see is the bullet hole in the middle of his forehead, gotta love that guy.)

Lilly was just Lilly with pink wings and as usual made it adorable. She is also walking now and does not have time to slow down.

Can't wear masks to the church for Trunk or Treat so I painted his face, its a great face painting considering I did it in about 7 minutes. (But he kind of looks like a freak!)

And this is how we have all felt by the end of October, I QUIT!

BUT, we purchased our very own new home!!!! More to come.

Yellowstone

2010-08-09T12:10:00.000-07:00

We spent 10 days up at our cabin in Yellowstone, its always one of the favortie vacation spots. And as usual it went great besides the mosquitos. We had a bear visit our cabin twice in the middle of the night and the only person to witness this was Melissa. A Mama bear and her cub came and cleaned up the spilled M&Ms on the dock the first night. The second time my cousin Haley, left her cooler in the back of the truck with soda in it. The next morning that soda was emptied with bite marks in the cooler and the cans. There is more proof though, we got footprints in the dirt. We got a lot of sun, sea dooin', and 4 wheelin' in. The National Park was pretty as usual, it was really green this year and we saw lots a buffalo and elk. Good Times!

Jordan got the coolest shirt ever... so says he.

Daddy had to get this shirt made.

Oops, don't look too close, but these boys were huge.

Bear tracks... I said there was evidence.

Jordan barking demands and Caleb doing everything in his power not to obey.

Lilly loved riding the SeaDoos.

Yellowstone

2010-08-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

This is a funny story. Jordan and Caleb were playing Ninjas with the oars, Jordan was the Ninja Master and Caleb was his student, He did whatever Jordan asked him to do, it was really funny.

San Diego... Chilly & Overcast

2010-07-19T11:52:00.000-07:00

Last week we headed out to San Diego for a couple of days. It was really nice to get out of this aweful heat although we saw no sun in San Diego the whole time we were there and the valet guy ran into a gate in Chris' truck...yeah its beautiful. But of course it doesn't stop you from having fun. There were stilll thousands on the beach and... it wasn't Vegas. We met up with our friends Toby & Nitra and their two kids. One of the best places we went (besides the beach) where I personally had a blast was Dave & Buster's, never been there before and can't wait to go back. One day we drove to LA to stop at Pink's Hot Dog stand, the ESPN Zone, and to see the Staple's Center (and we don't even like the Laker's!)

Jordan and Elijah going the rounds... just like their Dad's!

About the only cool and fun thing to do at the New Children's Museum.

Some grown men climbing on a jungle gym with Alana.

Can't go to the beach and not get buried.

Sweetness!

In the last 2 months...

2010-06-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

Our dog had 10 puppies and I felt like I went through post partum depression when they came. Thankfully the puppies are all gone to good homes and I will never have puppies again (well, not that many)... she has already been the Vet to be fixed!...

Jordan played his first season of soccer on the Jammers Club team, had a blast, and pretty much rocked.

Jordan also had his first field day at his school, no there are not a lot of other kids around or parents because it is not a public school, but still had just as much fun...

Lilly turned 6 months, still has her Daddy wrapped around his finger, thinks her brother is the funniest person around, chubby, and eats anything you put near her mouth. She is a good baby...

Then, Jordan graduated from kindergarten, still talks about school and can't wait to go to the 1st grade...

Let summer vacation start!

(A little side note: Chris is now working graveyard in good ol' down town, really likes his squad, and I would really love to put some of his stories on this blog, but I would be writing a story everyday... his area is very, very... interesting... sometimes scary...but interesting. Oh, yes, and Jordan says he wishes his Daddy was the Police boss so if we ever got arrested he would let us out of jail because he is our Daddy.)

Kids grow too fast...

2010-04-08T14:19:00.000-07:00

This little girl is 4 months old now. Lilly now weighs 17lbs. and is 26 inches. `Big and Healthy` is what the doctor called her. She thinks her brother is just about the funniest person she has ever met. And she gets spoiled by an aunt that has all boys and buys her cute swim suits.

Easter

2010-04-08T14:11:00.000-07:00

Easter was pretty relaxed and chilled this year and it was really nice. We dyed our eggs the night before, woke up to our baskets, headed out to find the eggs, then came in for some french toast and bacon. Fabulous.

And this is what Lilly did while Jordan searched for eggs.

PUPPIES!

2010-04-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, thats right. We have ten new mastiff puppies, 5 boys and 5 girls. We were warned that our dog could be pregnant when Chris went and got her and guess what... she was. They are so dang cute and she is such a good Mama.

My Husband... & Tilly!

2010-02-15T12:21:00.000-08:00

Yes. You heard right, Tilly. Here is the story:

Chris' high school basketball team had a game up in Panaca, Nevada on Friday. After the game, he calls me and tells me that his truck was towed during the game and he would have to wait until the morning to get it back. The Panaca coach was letting him stay at his house. Ahh, bad luck is what I though, this stinks. Panaca has terrible phone reception so, I waited and waited for him to call me the next morning and I didn't hear anything. Around 12pm, I get a picture of Chris with a Bull Mastiff. (Just so happens to be the dog I wanted.) I get a call, and I said, "Wow, do those people have a mastiff?" And Chris said,"Really, Jessica." So I started questioning myself and thinking 'what?' Chris tells me to say 'HI' and I wasn't even sure why, but I did. Then I hear my Aunt Wendy, and my cousins Haley and Bridgette saying hi back to me. I stood there for a minute, I knew who it was, but I couldn't figure how my husband was there in Idaho. You get the picture, he totally made up the 'my truck got towed' story, which I totally believed, and drove all night long to Idaho to pick this dog up from my aunt, and drove all the way home on Saturday! We have never been the type to celebrate Valentine's Day, we use it as another excuse just to go eat out. But we got a new dog and she is AWESOME! She is a Brazilian Bull Mastiff, she is a little over a year old and weighs 130lbs, very calm, loves kids, doesn't bark, just too cool. She isn't even full grown! I am a sucker for big dogs. Yes, it is weird to have a daughter named Lilly and a dog named Tilly but it wasn't our choice, oh well. We adore her and I feel as though my husband is going to spoil her big time. Is my husband awesome or what... I love that man!

How could you NOT love this!

I have no idea why she thinks she is small enough to fit in my lap. I sat on the floor so she just assumed she needed to sit on me.

Loving this little girl!

2010-01-15T12:09:00.000-08:00

Lilly is now 6 1/2 weeks old. Time is flying by making it bittersweet. This little girl rocks and has figured out when night time is, and that you sleep at night. She will go to sleep around 9, wake up twice to eat and go right back to sleep, and will wake up around 9. Jordan took forever to figure out night time sleeping so this is awesome to me, I feel sane. (But, it hasn't always been like this for her. It took a good 4 weeks to figure it out.) She is so sweet and loves to be cuddled. Chris calls her his 'little seniorita' because she has darker skin and hair than Jordan did. Both boys (Chris and Jordan) love her crazy and are so sweet with her.

Jordan is my top notch helper, he is such a great kid it amazes me. He loves kindergarten, loves homework, sight words, spelling words, and reading. <-- Yeah, I bragged... SO! I can't believe his 6th birthday will be Sunday. Wow, I have a six year old! He is also starting his second season of basketball and of course loves it. He has now said he wants to start football <-- that kind of scares me. I love football but to actually think about my little guy wanting to play, yikes!

More Pictures of our Little One

2009-12-11T17:10:00.000-08:00

Lillyan (Lilly) Leith Hall

2009-12-09T14:09:00.000-08:00

Lilly was born on November 30th at 3:47am. She weighed 7lbs. 11oz. and she was 20in. long. It all happened so fast. My water broke at 11:30pm, got to the hospital at 12:30, had an epidural at 2:30 that only took on my right side (yes, after 2 hours of contractions I gave up on the whole no drugs idea) and had her at 3:47. I think my doctor was there all of 2o minutes. I did not have to have an episiotomy and boy does that make a huge difference. I felt great... until my milk came in. WOW! It's been a while alright. Who ever said nursing is the greatest thing ever is crazy and they must be half cow. Let me put it this way, I flat stink at it. Thats it! I have one side that works perfect, but the other has a plumbing problem... NOT COOL! Yeah, lopsided Lucy so what. And unlike my sisters, I do not have milk for days and I swear it has something to do with your 'size' before your milk comes in. If your a descent size before hand, nursing is naturally easy and things flow easily. If you can still wear training bras (I may be talking about myself here,) things are not so easy. Besides all that after prego fun stuff, things are going pretty well. She is a doll. Her Dad has completely fallen head over heels for her. He claims he has a new boss and goes running when she makes a grunt. Jordan thought a little girl would come out running and playing and was a little stand offish at first. He is warming up fast. I really forgot how little and precious these little ones are. I forget how long you can stare at them in amazement while they do nothing at all. You realize how much of a miracle they are. I also forgot the responsibility, how dependent they are on you, the lack of sleep but then it hits that its all worth every minute of your day. I love my little family!

"Until We Meet Again Soldier"

2009-11-03T10:02:00.001-08:00

It sure is a wonder how things work in this world. This picture was taken 9 months ago of my sister Melissa and her husband Kimble at their wedding reception.

This is 9 months later.

Army Specialist Kimble A. Han

August 17, 1979 - October 23, 2009

Army

569th Mobility Augmentation Company

4th Engineer Battalion

Fort Carson, Colorado

Deployed in May '09 to Kandahar, Afghanistan

Kimble was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon and the Combat Action Badge.

If a funeral can be called amazing, this was it. I have always felt like I have been very patriotic, that is how we were raised. But patriotism holds a brand new meaning for me. I have a new found respect for those who serve our country. It is a selfless act that they stand there at the front line while we are at home enjoying our time, our families, and our freedoms. I heard many times this past weekend how war is a "necessary evil" and I could not agree more.

Thursday, we drove to Hills Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, UT for the ramp ceremony of the body being flown in. The only word to describe this event was "chills." We all loaded up in a small bus and drove the 2 mile road to the runway. With the Patriot Guard in attendance, there was a very quiet ceremony. Our journey back was timeless. Every man or woman in uniform that day lined the streets, saluting as we passed with the hearst. No traffic was in movement. Men and women stopped their cars and stood outside with their hands on their hearts. The bus was silenced even with children aboard and not a dry eye present. Saturday, the funeral went all too well. The burial was another chilling moment. With the Honor Guard, the 21 Gun Salute, the trumpet being played, the Patriot Guards surrounding us with flags, its almost overwhelming.

This was a great moment. Kimble's favortie candy was Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, we all ate one together and we laughed. But, this will be our attitude: Life goes on here and we remember the good times, we will see you again Soldier! And like Kimble's brother Jarod said, "He served his country in the United States Army and has now been redeployed and is now serving God's Army."

To read more or see more pictures:

http://heraldextra.com/news/local/article_88ad398c-7da6-5745-83a4-f724486c192e.html?mode=story

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705341153/Soldier-remembered-as-patriot.html

*Also, my prayers go out to the SPC Eric N. Lembke's family. He also lost his life on the same mission. He was 25 years old and leaves behind a wife, a daughter and a son.*

(Pictures taken by Deseret News and http://afghanistan.pigstye.net/images/articles/KimbleAHan_5_original.jpg)

My Random Thoughts and Opinions #1

2009-09-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

I started thinking of something I could blog about because the life of bed rest is rather lame. So, these are some random thoughts and opinions of mine. They are in no special order. Agree or disagree?

1. Reality Shows> Over done, over played, too dramatic, too many!
2. VMAs> What a joke! What a sad world of entertainment. We turned it off.
3. Country is the coolest, but I like all different kinds of music.
4. I like Kelly Clarkson and Pink, I think she is pretty in such an odd way.
5. Most women are desperate and EVIL and some men are weak!
6. I like Sportscenter, ESPN, college sports before Pro sports, and can't stand when women complain about their man watching sports. Do you realize the other crap they could be watching?
7. Firefighters are always the heros of the story.
8. Port of Subs is better than Subway.
9. Jewelery is over rated and just gets in the way.
10. Cleaning is actually something I really enjoy to do.
11. Bed rest is not as cool as most men think it is.
12. I am not big on meeting new people and hate going to new places.
13. A Famous Star from Carl's Jr. is just as good as any $10 cheeseburger elsewhere.
14. The Office is about the coolest show on TV.
15. High maintenance and materialistic people need to get a life because they will never be happy.
16. UFC is awesome.
17. I would rather have hot weather than cold.
18. If you are from Vegas and went to UNLV, you should be a Rebel fan, not BYU just because your LDS.
19. It is possible to put too much time and effort into a church calling and work. Just because you get paid to work does not mean it makes it ok to be away from your family more.
20. Spanking is not abuse, some kids really need it.
21. Baby gadgets are getting out of control. Bumps and bruises are from learning and exploring, germs are a fact of life and help build the immune system.
22. America is over medicated. You have a runny nose, OH WELL. You have a fever, OH WELL, its your body trying to fight whatever it is, off itself.
23. Diets don't work ladies. Get that through your thick skulls. EXERCISE! Don't be lazy, quit shoveling crap down your throat all day and quit drinking soda.
24. Women hold grudges, tell secrets, gossip, afraid to hurt others feelings and its annoying (I'm telling myself this too), men just tell it how it really is and its done.
25. If your gay, ok, but do you really need to parade around and put it on display like you have something to prove to others?
26. When your kid(s) enters the same room as you, you should ALWAYS give them a smile. (Maya Angelou)

Congrats Chris!

2009-09-10T13:55:00.000-07:00

On September 3, Chris graduated from Metro Police Academy! It was such an exciting day. This was something Chris (well, the whole class) really had to work hard for. The academy was no joke but the stories were great to listen to. (Especially the days they got beat down, bruised, and bloody.) They started out with 40 in the class and only graduated with 15 from the original 40. Granted it was a long 6 months, but honestly I could not be more proud of him as well as his family and friends. What a great guy! You don't even know how excited and proud he is to wear that badge. (And to be "packin" when and wherever he wants to... watch out, he got the Top Gun award!) Thank you to so many family members and friends who were right there with us through this whole ordeal and then put on a great congratulations party for him. Your awesome! (If your wondering why I am in the photos from grad, you guessed it, I went and it felt awesome!)

Proud Mom & Dad

Surrounded by friends with badges... oh boy!

Updates... Jordan's vaca and my bed rest...

2009-08-20T15:38:00.000-07:00

BORING! Yes, that pretty much sums it all up. (Especially my laptop going wack-o and not working right.) But I know this little girl will be well worth every long minute of it. I have finished 4 out of 16 weeks of bed rest, only 12 more to go. The goal here is to get to at least 32 weeks, if I go anytime before that, my next prenancy I will automatically get stitched up and put on bed rest. No thanks. I did get put on meds to stop my contractions <--- yes contractions, that I do not even feel, awkward! If I make it to 36 weeks they will unstitch me and I can be FREEEEE! (That will happen the day before my birthday, can't wait!) I am the only girl out of the family who does NOT get sick, (my sisters love to inform me that they only gained a couple of pounds because they threw up every time they moved.) I on the other hand swallow and digest every single calorie that goes in my mouth. So it does please me that now at 6 months of pregnancy and having to lay on my back I have only gained 15 pounds... shut your mouths if you think its a lot BUT I CANT MOVE! (No shame here.) I will own a jogger. The saddest part of bed rest is, Jordan starting kindergarten. He is going to the private school I worked at for years and I know how great it will be. I have this fascination with school shopping, I love it. I don't get to do it, Daddy does. I also don't get to take him to his first day of school either, Grandma does. Chris will be graduating from the police academy Sept. 3rd, can't go to that... that one really hurts. BUT, this little girl is our focus and if this it what it takes, so be it. None of this could be running so smoothly if it were not for my Mom. She runs all my errands, cares for Jordan when Chris is at work, she does everything and never complains. Chris has had to step up in a major way as well and not be as spoiled as before but is taking it in strides and like always is amazing. Sometimes it is a pretty helpless feeling watching everyone around you doing your responsibilities... 12 more weeks is what I keep telling myself. But, right now life is good and in good hands.

Here are some pictures of Jordan on the vacation Chris and I had to stay home from. <-- Only a little bit of bitterness there. He had a blast at the Montana cabin with his cousins. It is beautiful up there and we can't wait to go back.

Jordan and Jett

The Face!

Jordan and Ryan

Missing Jordan!

2009-08-06T15:24:00.001-07:00

It is that time of the year when the family packs up and heads for the Montana cabin. And yet, here I lay, on my couch in Las Vegas with doctor's orders while they are in beautiful Montana. My little sister flew in from Texas and drove my car and she took Jordan with her. You know, the first night was nice. The second night it was still pretty cool being alone. Now, I just cannot wait for him to come home. Being away for 9 days is killing me. Granted he wouldn't have much to do with his bed ridden mother and I can only entertain him for so long so I am glad that he went. BUT, I miss him and I cannot wait for him to come home on Sunday!

Bed Rest + Anniversary = Not So Cool

2009-07-28T12:54:00.000-07:00

YES I am on bed rest and YES it was my 7th anniversary yesterday. Me, bed rest? That was the biggest joke I heard when I went to my doc app last Wednesday. I went to a specialist for something completely different than to find out I would be on bed rest. After a 45 minute ultrasound, and finding out that the baby looks great, the ultrasound tech wanted to measure me. That is where things got complicated. My cervix is supposed to be at 39, and I am only at 19. They call it a short cervix. Basically, I am already opening up. (Gross I know, sorry.) So, my doc walks in, looks up at the screen, looks at me and says,"Do you work?" Yes. "Well you don't anymore." WHAT! "And you will be going in for surgery tonight, yes in 5 hours." So, he stitched me up at the hospital, had 3 days of 24 hour bed rest, and now I am allowed to get up for 30 minutes every 2 hours. Holy Crap! The doc said if I make it to 36 weeks they will take the stitches out and I can be normal until I have the baby. 16 WEEKS, of bed rest! I can only hope I stay at 19 and get more leeway on this bed rest stuff. Yes, I am so grateful that the Ultrasound tech found this, I could have miscarried or had a preterm delivery... such a blessing. But, this will be interesting.

My hubby is so awesome BUT, when I say Bed Rest + 7th Anniversay = Not So Cool... I really mean it. On my 30 minute break Chris and I were able to go to Arby's, eat, and come home...exciting. Better yet, I'm stitched up...think about that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Months

2009-07-20T20:11:00.000-07:00

Here, all of you that wanted to know what I looked like pregnant. Mind you people, I have one photo of me pregnant with Jordan, this is NOT my forte and I do not love this. But, read my shirt... I do love that. (Thanks to my friend Crystal!)

Exciting News and Jerk News

2009-07-12T15:15:00.000-07:00

Jerk News...
We went to a fun UFC fight night, despites Mir's loss. Came home to a solid cinder block thrown at the back of my car. WHAT! Whatever happened to eggs? Why did it have to be a freaken brick!? So, now I have a dent and scratches on the top of my car and a shattered back window. UGH! Punk drive by losers with nothing else to do! It does stink that our drive way sits on Gowan road and over the past four years we have had eggs, paint balls, slashed tires, and now I can add BRICKS! It hurt my feelings and Chris wishes he was home at the time with his gun.

Exciting News...
We found out we are having a GIRL! Chris is absolutely thrilled and is already acting all mushy, so I kicked him for it. You could have fooled me, I really was not sure what this one was going to be. Both pregnancies have pretty much been the same. It took a long time for the doctor to find out the gender, she would not move those legs. Jordan was spread eagle baby, letting the world know! These were a couple of pictures, top left if you can see is her legs and an arrow pointing to nothing. Now I have to start thinking pink, yikes!

It's Official!

2009-06-12T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, actually it has been official since the first pregnancy test I took. I didn't really need any hints when it came to wondering if I was pregnant or not, but now that I have actually been to the doctors and had an ultra sound... its official. I am 14 1/2 weeks, and your probably wondering why it took so long for me to go to the doctors huh? What were they going to tell me, congrats your pregnant. I already knew that. It has been so long since I have been through the whole pregnant thing, seeing the ultra sound and the baby moving around and all the little fingers was really neat. And of course we are going to find out what it is, Chris and I could not handle that. Chris would really like a girl, Jordan wants a boy, me... not sure. (Girls can get on my nerves.) The due date is supposed to be December 9th, but I am really hoping I go early like I did with Jordan and maybe have a Thanksgiving baby. So, YAY for the Hall family!... (Finally, only 5 and a half years after Jordan.)

Losing Pets Stinks

2009-04-23T16:34:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, April 21st, I had to put my best dog down. Yes, it has taken me this long to write about it. Wow, that was about the uncoolest situation to be in. It is amazing how we humans can become so attached to our animals. I got Bruno when I was 16 and he was one huge puff ball of a puppy. He was such a chilled out, lazy, 150 pounds of pure awesomeness whose howl sounded like a dying cow... but I miss that howl right now. He stopped eating, hardly moved, stopped drinking and my vet was just honest with me (he was 10 years old), and I really appreciated that. Thank goodness for GOOD friends, Kendall I owe you one. I am pretty good at keeping myself composed around others and I know with time, anything can get easier and will, but right now this one really hurts. Even my little man Jordan has sobbed over this, thats really hard. But, I had a great explanation for him about where and what he is doing.

Goosebumps... want some?

2009-04-18T15:51:00.000-07:00

My Dad found out about these guy and they are truly amazing. Another good one is "Mama" by Il Divo. (Don't for get to turn down the volume on the blog so you can blast this one.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMVxzEueJ6A

San Diego... 'How I Love Thee'

2009-03-29T15:25:00.001-07:00

Slacker, big time. Things have been so crazy and so busy lately, I don't think straight half of the time. Anyway, before all the crazieness happened, (Jordan told us he wanted to go on an adventure) and we were able to go on a quick gettaway to lovely San Diego. Man, I love that place. Our hotel was 3 and a half minutes away from the beach and 10 minutes away from Legoland, it was fabulous. We arrived on Friday and decided to go to the new Sea Life Aquarium they just built right next door to Legoland. I give it a 6 on the rating scale. It only took us an hour to get through and I just think we have better aquariums here in Las Vegas, but it wasn't terrible. Then we hung out at the beach the rest of the day. Saturday we got up and went to Legoland. Perfect place for children 4- 12 years old. Not too crowded, no crazy scary rides (as Jordan would say) but good enough to get a thrill, only waiting in line for no more than 20 minutes, and NO punky teenager kids pushing their way around, awesome! (Be prepared to get wet.) Chris and I loved taking Jordan to Disneyland but, with the crowd and long hours spent there, we really felt like we got more out of Legoland. Plus, Jordan really likes legos and in Legoland one area is called Adventure Land, he really did think we went on a cool adventure. And of course, Sunday was spent on the Boardwalk and the beach at Mission Bay, LOVE IT! What a nice, quick time away from the normal hub-bub of life. (Costco has great package deals for places like that, check it out.)

We had a couple of funny conversations with Jordan during the car ride:

Me: Jordan, look, our hotel has a pool, a jacuzzi, and a kitty pool.

Jordan: Aww man Mom, why didn't we bring Izzy then? (Our cat.)

Jordan: Mom, who makes rocks?

Me: Well, Jesus helped make the rocks.

Jordan: Can Jesus do anything?

Me: Yeah, pretty much bud.

Jordan: Can Jesus even do magic tricks?

I love Vegas, but I was bugged by the Newspaper!

2009-02-15T15:34:00.000-08:00

OK, I know we live in Las Vegas. And we all know what other people think when you say you live here. But, besides all that other junk I really love Vegas and this is home and there are fabulous people and fabulous things to do here. But today when I was reading the newspaper I was totally bugged by some of the things in there.
Front Page Section B: A girl selling here virginity to pay for college. It will all take place at a brothel in Carson. It says how most people think it is great publicity. What is wrong with people?

FRONT PAGE SECTION A: A list of well known prostitutes in Vegas. Police are trying to crackdown on this and I think that is fabulous. But, this is OUR Mayor Oscar Goodman speaking,"If I were to engage in discussion, I'd be thinking in terms of Little Amsterdam. But I'm not advocating it. Legalized and regulated brothels over time could generate hundreds of millions of dollars for this area."

Is it really just all about money, no matter how you get it?

So then it makes me want to agree with the Prfessor from UNLV who said,"It seems pretty hypocritical to me to have an economy based on sexualizing women and then to come down on women when police want to make it seem like they're enforcing the law..."

Brothels, strips clubs, is there really a big difference? At a strip club if you pay the right price you can get anything you want. It's ok to do it in a building, but not on the streets? I think its ALL horrible and terrible. But its just sick to me. Sorry had to vent.

"TAKEN"... Go See It!

2009-02-05T20:07:00.000-08:00

Ok, I went and saw this movie last weekend on opening night... AWESOME! What an intense movie. I actually went and saw it again tonight with my sisters, just as stinken good. If you liked the 'Bourne' series, you will love this movie, talk about no mercy. Liam Neeson did great.

PS... How in the heck do you get an image off of the interent to your post?

Happy Birthday Jordan!

2009-01-26T16:15:00.000-08:00

Gag, he is 5 years old. His birthday was actually the 17th and we went to the mini grand prix (thanks to my influence.) What a good boy!

RRREBELS!

2009-01-22T06:39:00.000-08:00

Just thought that, just in case you had not heard yet, UNLV beet BYU, @ BYU, yes sir. They had their chance when we were down by 13. The whole second half we were standing in front of the TV. This is a house of red blood not blue. Until we meet again Cougar fans...(FEB.21st)

We actually gave in... meet Izzy!

2009-01-13T17:42:00.000-08:00

So, about a month ago, Jordan started asking for a cat. We kept telling him he needed to wait and maybe when we had our very own place (one day) that we would get a cat. His birthday is coming up on the 17th and this is the conversation leading up to us getting a cat.

(My Mom and I are heading to Costco...)

Jordan: Mom I really want a cat. Mom can I please have a cat?

Me: Why do you want a cat? Don't you want a bike for your birthday? All your cousins got new bikes for Christmas.

Jordan: Mom, next Christmas I will ask Santa for a bike. I just really want a cat. Please Mom?

Me: (Pause)

Grandma: (Silently laughing)

Jordan: Mom, I said please.

We go into Costco, do our shopping, leave Costco.

Jordan: Mom, I would love a cat.

Me: Jordan, I don't know. Not while we are at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Jordan: Mom, I would be so good. I said please Mom.

Me: (Sigh)

Grandma: Jordan, we will take you to look at the cats at Petsmart.

WHAT! So, officially it was my mother that gave into my son's extremely sad pleading. Three hours later, one pleading phone call to Daddy, a million questions later to qualify to adopt a cat, signing my life away, and an extremely happy son, we now own a Torby Female Cat named Izzy. And yes, we are already attached to her. I do blame my mother for this one though. But, it is also hard because we are huge animal lovers.

Snowing in Vegas... Shut Up!

2008-12-15T14:55:00.000-08:00

Thats right folks, it snowed in Vegas. It was awesome and I felt like a little kid. Jordan thought it was really cool. Up at Chris' school he coaches at, it was covered in snow. We stopped for a minute to play and Jordan and I ganged up on Dad and got him with some pretty good sized snowballs. Later we headed up to Palo Verde HS with my nephews and had a blast. The best part is, Mr. Snowman's pieces were borrowed when the other people left their snowman, but I can promise you they were returned.

I thought you said you were going to bed?

2008-12-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

This is what happens when I ask Chris to get Jordan ready for bed...

Thanksgiving!

2008-12-09T15:57:00.000-08:00

The original 9, plus Grandpa Fackrell.

I know, it has been forever since I have even posted, but it has also been forever since I have been on the computer because this household has been going non-stop.

I love this time of the year! For Thanksgiving, everyone was here, it was awesome and so much fun. We did a fun, but crazy family project. Every family scrapbooked two pages, one sided, of their family for each family. 8 families = 16 pages. If anyone knows me, scrapbooking is a foreign language, but I pulled through and we had a great turn out. We also decided to do family pictures. Let me tell you, with this many people it was too hard to get a perfect picture. Chris' Aunt was daring enough to take us on, and we loved to outcome.

Finished

2008-11-10T09:00:00.000-08:00

So, I just felt like I needed to let everyone know that I am done with the Twilight series... Fabulous. It was perfectly written, and the ending did not have any mean twists that every other story has. I finally have my life back, I can return to my normal routine... BUT tell me why I still think about the story ALL the time? I can't wait until the movie comes out.

Want to hear something funny?So, my husband has been making fun of me this last week and a half for being glued to this book. One night I was talking to my Mom and Chris came up behind me and grabbed me around my waist. He kissed my neck, and I HAD to roll my neck back, and I said, "Bite my neck." Ha Ha Ha, it was perfect. He let go of me and told me to get a way from him. I could not resist.

'Twilight'... A SERIOUS SICKNESS!

2008-10-28T14:35:00.000-07:00

I have a serious sickness and its called... the 'Twilight' series. Seriously, whats wrong with me? I know it has been out for a while, but at that time I was reading a couple of other series of books that were all too fabulous as well. I told my sisters I had to get over the book I was reading before I could start on 'Twilight'. We went to Reno this last weekend and I figured what a perfect time to start a new book, it helped because we were driving. I read the first book in two days, it took actually less than 24 hours to read a 500 page book, (I counted.) I could not put it down. HELLO... EDWARD! I cannot even concentrate, I wake up and think about it and I go to work and think about it. (I even try to slip in my closet at work and sneak at least a paragraph in.) I go crazy when I have to do human things like, go to the bathroom, get dinner ready, do something for Jordan, or pay attention to my husband. Please tell me there are more out there that did this, or am I really just that crazy? My husband always makes fun of me when I start reading a new book because I really know how to tone everyone and everything else out, it really is quite amazing. But, when I read, I am totally there right next to the characters. And let me tell you how close I was to EDWARD and BELLA (I really think I am Bella, ha ha.) My sister Holly told me she went into a mild depression reading the second book, "New Moon'... UH YEAH, I'm right there with you. I am trying to avoid reading blogs that I know have talked about 'Twilight' before because if somethings gets ruined, I just might die. This is INSANE!

I have actually been tagged, its my first time!

2008-10-08T20:54:00.000-07:00

I'm actually excited, its my first time being tagged. They are in no particular order. Thanks Sommer :)

8 Things I did today:

1. Went to work
2. Almost strangled some kids (j/k)
3. Took a 30 minute power nap with Jordan
4. Ate pretty decent, oh besides my yummy Entenmens doughnut
5. Forced myself once again to eat yogurt
6. Ran two miles, did sit ups, and worked out my arms
7. Swept and swiffered the floor for the 4th time since Saturday
8. Read books with Jordan

8 Shows I love to watch

1. Grey's Anatomy
2. The Office
3. CSI Las Vegas
4. Discovery Health
5. The First 48
6. SportsCenter
7. Crime 360
8. DEA

8 Restaurants I love:

1. Red Robin
2. Port of Subs
3. Chilis
4. Macayos
5. Carl's Jr.
6. Arbys
7. Cheesecake Factory
8. Steiners

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Thanksgiving... Family
2. Soccer games
3. The next books for: Charlie Bone, Fablehaven, & Septimus Heap
4. Nap Time
5. Friday
6. Springtime
7. My next day off of work
8. Seeing friends

My Wish List:

1. Owning my very own home
2. Having more kids... of my very own
3. Going on a tropical vacation
4. A CAREER for my hubby
5. A healthy family
6. Is having bigger boobs a bad wish :)
7. A close family
8. Did I mention my own home and my own kids?

8 People I am tagging:

1. Amanda H.
2. Amy Q.
3. Heather U.
4. Melissa S.
5. Tiffany P.
6. Natalie N.
7. Laura T.
8. Lyndsay C.

"I will fight you up Daddy!"

2008-10-05T09:39:00.000-07:00

This is an everyday occurance at our house. The typical, "I'm going to fight you up!" Even though Jordan is only 4, Dad does not go easy on him. Here is his reasoning, "He can't think he is going to win eveything, especially against me." Gotta love him.

Chris looked really 'good' when we went out Friday, I had to take a quick snap.

Red Rock & Bonnie Springs

2008-09-18T17:17:00.000-07:00

I know, I know, I have been a huge slacker, sorry. I am just not one of those people that carry my camera in my back pocket.
We went to Red Rock Canyon and Bonnie Springs with our friends, Amanda, Patrick, and Hailey and had a great time.
Chris, Jordan, and Patrick.
The boys went up and up, and up. Guess its a good thing I trust Chris with Jordan. He had no fear of the edge. My camera was in full zoom.

I always had a suspicion...

Airport Parking Security is a load of...

2008-08-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

I had to blog about this because I got so fired up about it. Saturday night, I was picking up my friends from the airport. I had actually timed it pretty dang good to where, when I pulled in the parking garage they were walking out of the doors. So, I went all the way to the end of the garage and pulled over. I still had the car in park and I was waiting and watching for my friends to come any second now. There was this 'older' women who was the wheelchair collector in the parking area (she was just mad she had that job in the first place,) as she was walking across to pass my car she was staring at me and shaking her head. I almost punked an old lady. The next thing I know I look in the rear view mirror and this grumpy security guard strolled up on me and just started writing out a ticket. I was literally there for less than 2 minutes and I can see my friends coming! I jumped out and I said to him, "Are you kidding me? They are walking towards us right now, I haven't even been here two minutes." NO warning, NO NOTHING! And he said to me,"Ma'am it's a $150 ticket to be right here, if you don't move I will keep writing." He was such a, grr you know what, he was so mean and nasty. And that wheelchair lady stopped to watch and the whole time she was shaking her head at me. I wanted to poke her eye out. I never argue, but this got me going and it lasted longer than two lines in this post did, but no need, they were so rude. So, as I am moving the car so I don't get this ticket, my friends are watching me drive away less than 10 feet away. I was ready to fight!

Montana

2008-08-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

We just got back from our 'once a year trip that never lasts long enough in Montana' vacation. It is so beautiful, fresh, and peaceful up there. It is really cool because our cabin was built around the 1930s and my Grandpa Lund bought it, my Dad has been going up there since he was only a couple of months old. It is a neat place because every cabin up there has been owned by the same people since they were built and no one can build there anymore, so every cabin has their family name on it, and we know every one of them. Our family has so many memories at this cabin, it never fails when we all get together and tell stories half of them come from Montana. Don't get me wrong, our cabin in Utah is great, but it doesn't have as many stored up memories as Montana does... yet. When you go into the National Park, the scenory is amazing, the history of it all, the Geysers, and the Waterfalls, and the wild animals. My Mom did just inform me today that this morning a Mama bear and her cub walked right past the front of our cabin. Then they went to walk out of the back door and there was a deer chillin' on our back porch. We have had a couple of encounters with bears up there, and they are always crazy ones, like bears who bite our coolers, bears that join us by the campfire and eat our hot dogs because we ran off , bears in the middle of the night that walk right past the screen window you sleep by, bears you follow because you think you can be sneaky and get close (so stupid) and all of the sudden they sneak up on you (that one was Holly's story.) Bears are great.

We did start out our vacation with Jordan having a fever for two days, two days later Chris and I got sore throats, two days after that my cousin broke his wrist on the tube, and to top everything off the mosquitos were crazy and Chris and I left with over 85 bites combined. BUT, it was still a fabulous place to be and I would not change it.

This was a really funny picture, there is actually an extremely tiny fish Jordan is holding. He came running up to me and told me he finally caught a fish (all his cousins kept catching them in buckets and he finally got one) and he was so excited he decided he needed to hold it. It died of course.
This was awesome! You always know when there is an animal to look for because in the Park there is one road, two lanes, and when someone stops you have to stop. Well, this buffalo had traffic blocked up because he decided he needed to walk right down the middle of the road. I opened the van door and I could have touched him when he walked by, but of course he was SO CLOSE it kind of freaked me out so I shut the door a little bit and by the time I opened it again he got this far. But, that is still really close to a buffalo. They are huge! The Yellowstone River goes in and out of the Park. It was so pretty and full this year.
Theres my man, lookin' all sexy in his tight wet suit... ooo wee ;)
Jordan is trying to get his cousin Caleb to jump in. Although the lake at the cabin is FREEZING it never stops anyone from going in. (But, everyone that goes in the lake has a wet suit.)

Did I ever say how much I like soccer?

2008-08-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ok, so it is not anything new when I talk about soccer. I like it, and I have been able to get Chris playing too. We both play indoor, and on Thursday nights we play together on a coed team. (It's so much fun.) BUT, this last Thursday night brought back some memories from high school soccer. This picture was taken about 2 hours after the game. I blocked a shot, from a guy, 4 minutes into the game and when this happened these things were going through my head...

1- *#$%!^&*^!!!!! You idiot!
2- I am so glad this was not high school soccer in WINTER, playing outside in the cold.
3- Them scoring would have been a better option.
4- %#@* OUCH!

Most, of my soccer friends can understand why this hurts so bad. This has happened to them multiple times. But, if you have ever played high school soccer in Vegas and they make you play in the winter time, you can understand my pain.

California!... again.

2008-07-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

In June, we were invited by some really good friends of ours to camp on the beach in San Elijo. Listening to the ocean ALL DAY was great, healthy people everywhere, beach cruisers, perfect weather, ocean side stores, AH the beach life, it was fabulous. (The evil looking wink again.)

Both boys fell asleep by the campfire.

Buttle went to Disneyland too.

This was part of our Disney trip in March. Our friend Scooter lives ON Huntington Beach and we made a visit. I love the beach life.

Random Pictures

2008-07-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

I told you once I started to figure this stuff out, pictures would be everywhere.

On the trampoline, Chris is double bouncing Jordan. I wish I had a picture of Jordan turning his double bounce into a flip.

Holly's pet she just gave away, Chica, she is a Sugar Glider. Amazing and cool animal, high maintenance though.

Our cabin in Montana is one big open room basically, walls no doors. Jordan is standing on the bunk beds behind this wall.

Our number 1 destination of the year, Montana Cabin. Jet skis are so much fun, especially during storms.

Our awesome dog, Bruno!

Older Pictures

2008-07-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

San Diego! We love it there! This was our 2007 trip to Sea World. In the harbor, we went on a tour of this giant Naval ship, it was really neat.

Jordan is a Stud!

Chris loves taking pictures of Jordan and him.

Happy Anniversary to Us! . . . But, I want your opinion.

2008-07-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

Chris and I went out last night, Jordan went to Chris' Dads (Papaw.) You want to know what we did... we went to Port of Subs for Dinner, we went to 7-11 for snacks, and then headed to the drive-ins to watch Hancock and guess what... it was awesome. I am so low maintenance, I didn't want this huge fancy dinner, no jewelery, no flowers, I just wanted to hang out with my man. How caught up do we women get when we start expecting great things for simple occasions? For example, Valentine's Day, what a joke. The worst day of the year. DO NOT take me to dinner or send me flowers on this day because everyone else is expecting it. A couple of months ago Chris sent me beautiful flowers to my school on an ordinary, out of the blue day and can I tell you almost EVERY woman in that building asked, "Oh, what did he do wrong?" After about the 8th person saying that, I wanted to say, "What is wrong with you people?" And it was all because flowers were sent on an ordinary day. I personally thought it was awesome, want to know why? I wasn't expecting them. I want to go to a nice sit down dinner on any given day, not some hyped up day of the year that you are expecting your man to make special for you. (Who ever put them in charge?) So, fellow friends of mine, WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?

The Hole Is Gone

2008-07-26T17:38:00.001-07:00

I did it, I got rid of the hole all by myself (took me long enough.) Oh boy this is getting exciting now :)

I'm getting there. I'm getting there.

2008-07-26T13:14:00.000-07:00

Lap top, still no good, but that means no personal pictures yet. If you go to Disneyland, I highly reccomend the Photo Pass system. Expensive, sure, its Disneyland, but it was worth it. So, I have this CD I have been taking pictures off of, does anyone notice that big hole in the middle of my blog? How do I put something there? It does not give you many options to put pictures wherever you want. I have heard of Picasa, but not sure how to use it yet. But you have to admit, I am getting somewhere... right?

My Very First Blog

2008-07-23T22:22:00.000-07:00

I owe all of this to my life long friend, Natalie Nelson. She always talks about "blogging" and I always thought "I do not have time for that." Now look at me, typing up my first blog. No pictures yet though, they are all on my lap top and its dead at the moment, but I got plenty. (The weird thing is, I actually feel like I am talking to myself, no one knows I started "blogging.") SO, if you just so happen to be looking around and somehow come across my LAME-O beginners blog, please drop in some ideas and hints for this stuff because I have no clue.