Oregon Coast

So over the week of 4th of July I flew up to Seattle. After a few days there I drove down with my family to the Oregon coast for a Family reunion with my Mom's side (Hafen Family). Unfortunately Chris was in the Throngs of studying for his huge Podiatry BOARD exams and couldn't come :(

Here are some pictures of some of the things we did..
I'll let the pictures do the talking-

(OK I guess this one might need a little bit of an explanation when I was 12 I went to the coast with my parents and Grandparents. We were out on the beach and to help cheer up my grandpa [and I was in a pretty silly mood] I grabbed our table clothe from our picnic and donned it as a cape and the BEACH DEFENDER was born. So I didn't want to let the beach defender be forgotten on this trip- so I sewed this cap and wore it and the beach defender was BACK!)

It was a wonderful trip filled with wonderful memories- the only downside is that Chris was not there with me to share it!

(here is a slideshow of all the photos taken)

Lake Okanogan, Canada

The first week of August Chris and I went up to Seattle to joining my family on a boating trip. This time we decided to try out a new place which was actually in Canada- Lake Okanogan. It brought back lots of old memories of all the old boat trips we used to take in the summer. It was great to be with my family, enjoy the boat and explore a new place.

HANGING OUT IN THE ROOM

Chris and Paydan both glued to their Ipod games

Dad trying to stretch out his back... PEACE!

Playing SCUM... Chris was the scum this round-hence he had to wear the VISOR of SHAME.


OUT ON THE BOAT

Umm... Don't ask

I love Paydan's devilish grin on his face as he is squirting mom.

Can you tell we are happy to be out on the boat?

v

Aren't my parents sooo cute!

AHH! Don't Squirt me!


Bust a Move Chris... I am lucky I married a man with such great MOVES!


PULLED BY THE BOAT-THE WATER SPORTS

Me, Paydan and Mom on the tube... of course Paydan is all smiles since he is nice and safe in the middle of the tube.

My Skiing Idol... I wanna ski like my Papa!

I love this picture of Chris... it shows the mxiture of joy and sheer frustration trying to pull off a 360 on the kneeboard!

Wake boarding... don't you love my snazzy florescent wetsuit from the 90's!

Trying to do my 360 again... step by step- but you will notice in the last frame I was unsuccessful that time!

Pure Happiness

I love how my bangs turned out in this picture- haha... let's just say they totally match my 1990's wet suit!

Chris on the Wakeboard

BEAUTIFUL LAKE OKANOGAN!

Swing Batter, Batter!

Last night we got a chance to go to our nephew Carter's baseball game. We went to one earlier in the season and it was fun to see how he has gotten better... and this time I brought my camera.

It is so cute to see Carter play... they are all just so small! It was great to also see Maddie and Sawyer play (and snap their pictures) and hang out with little Libby!

Here are some pictures:

I actually got a few good pictures of Sawyer... who is usually the elusive and tricky one to snap a picture of.

I bribed him with gum to sit and take a picture with me.

I love this picture of Chris with Libby. I can't wait to see him in action with our own kids in the future.

Maddie... man she is growing up fast- they all are!

Sawyer playing around on the playground.

Carter up to bat... he his a double!

Chris, Maddie and Katie

Chris and Libby Lou!

How can you not LOVE that face!

I am so glad that we live close to them and get to be a part of their activities and watch them grow up!

Spring Break!

So this past week(s) were spring break. Unfortunately Chris' schools break was two weeks ago but my work (with the school district) had spring break this last week. So Chris enjoyed most of his break by himself... since I was working most days. He was just glad to have a break from the endless studying and also to get a chance to lay out by our complex's pool. We did manage one day though to head down to Old Town Pasadena together!

However, it was good I had this last week off since my parents, little brother Paydan, and my grandma were coming! We had a great week together and there will be many posts to come on it!

My family (Minus Dad- taking picture)

Libby's Blessing

Last Sunday we got to go to Libby's Baby Blessing and then got to hang out at the Nielsen's home with other family.

It was a great day getting to be with family and enjoy celebrating Libby and her blessing. We had great food that Katie had for us and Debbie made some delicious cupcakes (so yummy!). I also took it as an excuse to make some sugar cookies and practice frosting techniques (see picture below). I tried to make a baby swaddled in white and then the L and N are for Libby's initials.

But we are so glad to have our new niece and have really enjoyed getting to hold her and fuss over her! (it has also given us some baby practice for some time in the future).

An update so you can keep up with the Jones'

Home

So I have been in the crafting mood lately, probably because of the hundreds of crafty-type blogs I follow. So I have been trying out some new recipes and made some Valentine decorations (since I had none). So here are some things I have made...

*made these yummy taquitos the other night...delish!

Also, we had a replay of our honeymoon this past week... and NOT in a good way. For those of you who don't know, on our honeymoon Chris got DEATHLY ill the 2nd night and eventually had to spend the night in the ER. Well Chris woke up at 4 am the other day to...without being to graphic... violently throw up! This continued about every half hour for up until about 2 pm. Luckily I was able to keep him somewhat hydrated and he finally broke his fever later in the day and was doing okay. It must have just been an awful 24 hour bug, but BOY it brought back some "wonderful" memories!

School
Chris has been working his tail end off in school. I believe this is going to be his hardest semester. He, along with his fellow peers, are trying to get used to being the guinea pigs for the administration, since this is the first year of his program. It is a bit frustrating at time, but he is hanging in there. He also was asked by the faculty to be the California Podiatric Medicine Association (CPMA) Chair person for his school. He gets to fly to Oakland this weekend to go to a conferences for it!

Work
My subbing had finally began to pick up in the Upland School District. Some weeks are better than others. I have done everything from 1st to 8th grade. It is always an adventure each day being in a different school, grade, and classroom. However, I have not had any terrible days and have actually really enjoyed many of my assignments. At times I miss my old class SOOO much!

Church
Chris and I are feeling settled into our new ward. We got to speak a few weeks ago, which always helps people get to know you better. I also just got called as the Young Womens 1st Counselor... so all you that have served in Young Womens PLEASE let me know so I can pick your brains for advice.

Family
We have got to spend a lot of great time with Chris' family lately. We have loved all the wonderful Sunday dinners at his parents' and Katie's house. We also have become an Aunt and Uncle AGAIN when Katie had her 4th child, Libby Jean. We have enjoyed being around Libby and getting practice with newborns...let's just say it is making us baby hungry! Also, I got to go see Maddie perform with her grandpa (my Father-in-law) at her school Talent Show. Here is a short clip below of their adorable song!