Working...9 to 5...what a way to make a livin'...

I have been told that I neglected to tell you what I'm doing. I'm working for Allied Van Lines in Bremerton. I'm a receptionist/secretary. My brain is VERY full today! I hate first days...you always feel like an idiot. I'm hoping that it will get better soon! I'll let you know!

Brent's birthday was great! He got a ton of cards, presents and calls from most! It was very fun for him. His choice for his birthday "cake" was lemon squares. Here he is... I know that looks like a lot of candles, but he wouldn't let me put all of them on there...he said it would take too long. Silly Brent!
Oh, and my ideas for Brent's birthday got messed up. I was going to surprise him and take him to see "Glory Road" (it's a basketball movie) but it wasn't playing anywhere! I wish I would have looked at it before Friday night! We ended up having a nice relaxing day together and going out for sushi that night. (It's Brent's favorite meal...sooooo)

Sunday was our Stake Conference. Our stake is so big that you have to park the cars "ferry style". That means that they park the cars front to back so you can't leave until it's over. Works good to get everyone to stay the whole time.

Elder Robert S. Wood from the Seventy came and spoke to us. He was AMAZING! He talked about what we need to do to get closer to the Lord. He was very entertaining and really made you think at the same time.

I also really enjoyed our Stake Relief Society President's talk. She talked about service. How we should have the motto "Here am I, send me.." I think that's a cool way to look at service both in your callings and everywhere else!

The Seattle Temple president was there as well and spoke about how all roads lead to the Temple. In the end, they do, don't they? All in all, it was a great conference!

Well, I guess I had better go to bed...since I'm a working girl now. Have a great day!

My last day of freedom...

It's my last day as a non-working gal. Too bad. It's been fun. But, this is for the baby and the house. I can do it!

I've been running around today getting ready for Brent's birthday. I hope it will be a fun day! We are also going to see our new house tonight to make sure that they have done everything they were suppose to. We're excited. They are suppose to be moved out, so it will be fun to see the house empty. :) Maybe we'll have some more pictures.

It snowed last night. When I looked out this morning, everything was white. Not from snow, but from frost. I waited around until the sun came out so I didn't have to scrape my windshield. I don't miss that in Utah.

**Yes, Jenny, it was really fun to drive with you guys. Glad you guys had fun too!**

Here are the Hawaii pictures o' the day. When we were on the Big Island of Hawaii in November, we went to Volcano National Park. There is the big Kilauea Crater, then inside that is the Helema'uma'u Crater. We were hiking around the Halema'uma'u Crater in these pictures. This is about 20 year old lava. It was really cool.




Have a great day!

Happy Birthday Brad

Well, today is Brad's 30th birthday. They should be moving into their apartment in San Diego today. Great birthday present huh?

Yesterday, I ran around like a chicken with my head cut off. I applied for a couple of jobs and went down to Court and Brad's house to see if everything was ok. (It was) Then, today I find out that I got a job! YEAH! I start on Monday. It's a full time job, which wasn't exactly what I wanted, but I prayed that I got the right job and it was kind of a fluke that I got this job, so I feel like this is my answer. It will be nice to have our weekends and evenings together...I was afraid I would end up back at Fred Meyer working weekends and nights. So, I will be a working girl again, but that's ok. It's for the baby!

Here's the Hawaii picture of the day. This is at Lanai Lookout on Oahu, Hawaii. It was always windy there, but sooooo beautiful! We actually saw humpback whales from this point just before we came home. Amazingly enough, I kind of miss Hawaii. It was our home for 6 months. Brent and my mom were right! (I hate to say that!)

Congratulations Jared & Katie

I know it's been a few days since I've written, so let me catch you up.

On Valentine's we did have individual heart shaped meatloaf. It was very yummy. We took a picture, but it's on Ryan and Marcela's camera, so I'll get that on soon.

Wednesday, I spent the day with Courtney. She is leaving on Friday for San Diego for 6 months. She just folded laundry and we talked, but it was the best day!

Sarah and Chloe were playing outside and when they came back in, Sarah had this Home Depot apron on as a cape. I laughed so hard when she struck this pose. What a poser!

Here's Kyle. He's almost 9 months old in the picture. He's huge and fun. Don't you love his little teeth. If only he wouldn't grind them! We have fun playing until he decides that he would rather have Court. Still a cutie though!

I sure will miss these guys! I know they are coming back, but while they're gone, it will be sad! Have fun though!

Thursday, I watched Sarah and Chloe while Court and Brad ran some errands. (They take Kyle too because he's a momma's boy) It was so much fun to play with the girls one more time. It was hard when they left. Too quiet!

Thursday night we took the ferry over to the airport and flew to Boise. The flight was about 30 minutes late. Always exciting. Jen was there to pick us up. It is always great to see those guys! They are good hosts!

Friday morning, we all packed up the van and headed to Utah, with only one minor detour to get a bag that was forgotten. We needed to be at the Temple at 5:15, so we definitely had a time limit. Luckily, we got to Jessica's at about 4:00. It was close, but we made it. No worries.

The Temple was amazing, as usual. It was so neat to see everyone there. That means a lot to me, as well as the rest of the family. Congratulations Julie! This is a wonderful step!

Then, we went to dinner at Training Table. My FAVORITE! Brent's a little tired of it though. Sorry. It was yummy, as usual.

Saturday morning, we all got up early and headed to the Temple for Jared's wedding. It was FREEZING! The ceremony was great! And now Jared and Katie are married. Congrats guys! We're so happy for you!

The pictures outside the temple were cold, but here are some good ones.

After the Temple, we went to Thanksgiving Point for the luncheon. It was very yummy! And, nice to be able to sit and talk to people we haven't seen for a while. This is Tayler hiding in the corner licking the urn. Gross Tay!

Don't we look great?

Here are all the siblings and they're mom. They clean up rather nice, don't they?

Sunday, we went to my parent's house to have dinner with them. It was nice to spend some time with them as well. Mom made a really good chicken dinner. Then we had pie for Brent's birthday. We had to get 2 because Brent wanted a german chocolate pie and I don't like that kind, so we got a lemon one too. It was a lot of fun. Thanks for the fun shirt and the promise of the spud trooper. (We'll post a picture when we get it.)

Monday, we drove back to Boise, then flew home. The drive was fun and exciting, like most drives are.

Now we're home! It was so nice to see everybody! Hopefully we'll see you again soon!

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day all!

Since Brent and I feel that Valentine's Day is a somewhat dumb holiday, we don't have a lot planned. Brent is going to make us heart shaped meatloaf. I'm excited. It will be yummy! He's such a good cook.

This morning it snowed a little tiny bit, but most of Western Washington shut down. It was funny. Marcela went all the way to her class this morning only to find out that school was not opening for two hours. That sucks!

So, here's the picture of the day. My Grandma Cherryl, my mom and me in Hawaii. It was so much fun to have "the three generations" there for a week. We did a ton of fun things, but mostly just had fun being together! Thanks for coming! It was great!









We hope that if you like Valentine's Day you have a great one. We hope that if you think it's just another day, like us, you'll have a great one too!

It's Been Awhile

Howdy all! I know it's been awhile since I've posted, but I haven't been feeling good. The Brown kids gave me a stuffy nose! Silly kids! They are still rather cute though, so I forgive them. :)

Last Thursday night we went to dinner at Court and Brad's new house. Thanks guys! Kyle loves to look at Brent, but he doesn't really want to get close to him yet. The thing he likes best is Brent's glasses. Kyle was sitting about 5 feet from Brent and looked like he was trying to grab his glasses. Apparently depth perception is a learned thing.

On Saturday we went to a surprise 30th birthday party for our friend Sky. It was a lot of fun. We played a game with 80's song lyrics. We totally kicked everyone's butts! We got 50 out of 80 and the next closest score was 29. Brent rocks!

The Olympic Mountains came out of the clouds on Saturday. One of the first times we've seen them since we've been home. They're pretty. What do you think?

We were hanging out at Court and Brad's on Saturday as well. Chloe was tired of playing outside, so she came in and was rummaging around some of the boxes and came up with this:

She and the stool are ready for snow. She's such an imp!

Ok, here's the Hawaii picture of the day... When Leslie visited us in Hawaii, she and I went on a submarine ride. You took a boat out from the pier and met the submarine where the water got deeper. While we were heading out on the boat, we were all of a sudden surrounded by spinner dolphins. They are small dolphins that twist their flukes as the come out of the water. This makes them spin. I got this great picture. Not a spinning spinner dolphin, but a great picture none the less. Makes me sad to not be there.

The Olympics are here again! I can't believe it's been four years since they were in Salt Lake City. The opening ceremonies were kind of boring except for the ski jumper. Have a great day! Go USA!

Holy Cow

Ok, these pictures are too interesting not share.

This HUGE catfish tried to swallow a ball. The only way they could get it to let go was to pop the ball. Weird!

Another beautiful day in the Northwest! Hope you all are well!

Wednesday, Wednesday

Well, I feel like this is going to be the most boring of the blogs, but oh well. Today I went over to Court's and talked to her while she cleaned their old house. It was fun to just sit and talk. I played with the kids and watched some Strawberry Shortcake. I just love playing with those kids. They're fun. Kyle is so much fun when he's not crying. And Chloe is just Chloe. What else can you say? The other day she was in a bad mood when Court and I went shopping. Court gave her a little bit of chocolate and while we were in Old Navy, she got her some flip-flops for San Diego. Chloe looks at her mom and says, "Mommy, everything seems better after chocolate and new shoes." What a little imp!

Today the pictures aren't from Hawaii, but they're cute anyway. When we were in Utah at Christmas, Brent had the best time playing with his nieces. He's so funny with them. Enjoy the pics!











Have a great day!

The Sun Will Come Out...Today!

What a beautiful, sunny day! It was still cold, but nice. It's nice to dry out for a little while.

Brent and I bought some summer bulbs for our **hopefully** new house yesterday. I'm so excited to have some dirt to dig in. It will be so much fun!

Courtney and I went shopping yesterday at Old Navy. It was a lot of fun. It was nice to have someone to talk to when I was shopping. You're the best Court!!


Here's the Hawaii picture for today. During Christmas, downtown Honolulu puts up a lot of great decoration. It was weird looking at Christmas lights in shorts and flip flops, but we had a really good time doing it. Hawaiians call Mrs. Claus "Tutu Mele" which basically means "Grandma Merry." Notice how Santa is doing the shaka sign (hang loose). It was fun. We got a CD that has Christmas songs in English and Hawaiian.

Mele Kalikimaka! (Kind of late)

Happy Happy Birthday Marcela

What a completely busy weekend we had! It was Marcela's birthday on Saturday and Court and Brad moved into their new house in Port Orchard. Luckily a lot of people showed up to help, so I didn't have to lift any boxes, but Kyle is still in his "hold me, hold me, hold me" stage, so I did have to lift him. He weighs 22 pounds, so it's not an easy thing to do!

I made a great bundt cake for Marcela's birthday. (I didn't put a flower in the middle to "fix" it either.) We also gave her a great book about hiking in the area. She was really excited, as you can see from her face. It was fun to spend some time with her on her birthday!














We had a HUGE wind storm on Saturday as well. A LOT of people in this area lost power because trees fell on the power lines. There were trees across roads everywhere and a lot of the homes right on the Sound got flooded by the high tide. It was a fun day to say the least. The power was still out at Ryan and Marcela's church building yesterday so they had to come to church with us. It was fun. There were a lot of people there!

The saddest news from this weekend is that the Seahawks did not win the Super Bowl. Brent really wanted to loot. (j/k) It was a good game, right up until the 4th quarter. It's fun to get swept into the hysteria of Seahawk fans! Maybe next year!






Marcela is sad that everyone won't be able to see her pregnant, so we've decided to take a picture of her every month until the baby is born. So, here is the picture for the 1st of February. She has a little pooch, but nothing too big yet. Just wait.










Ok, I promised that I would put some pictures in from Hawaii, so here's the first one. This is from Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa, North Shore. This is the BEST place for shave ice on the Island!! I know that a lot of you are saying, "It's just a snow cone." But it's not. It's sooooo much better. I got lilikoi flavor and Brent got the rainbow one. We didn't go until our last time in North Shore because the lines were always so long, but it was worth it! YUMMY!




Thanks for the comments guys! We're glad you're looking.

Have a great day!

Is it ever going to stop raining???

Well, yet another day of raining. It rained almost 19 inches in January. For those of you people who can't invision 19 inches of rain in one month...it's like gettting 19 FEET of snow in one month. We might have to start building an ark soon. Ryan and Marcela's backyard is a swimming pool. It's great!

Our friends Courtney and Brad just bought a house in Port Orchard. The last couple of weeks we have been helping them paint some of the rooms. It has been a lot of fun and good practice for our house!

Since there isn't a lot going on in our lives right now...being that we are in a holding pattern with the house and the adoption...we thought we would put some pictures on from when we were in Hawaii. Ahh...Hawaii. It seems much nicer now that we haven't been stuck in traffic for a month and a half.