Working Vegas

Of course, this is not what you think... but I like to FAKE you OUT by the title!! So, sometimes my work is fun and I get to go places. So, I went to Las Vegas for a trade show but I got to stay at Michelle and Andrews' house instead of the hotel. It was sooooo fun as usual! Sydney wore the "pig earrings" I got her for Christmas (yes, you read that right...she has wanted...PIG earrings ever since getting her ears pierced) and Gavin was just so cute!! You know when he sees a plane, he either says, "NuNu" (that's me) or "Damma" (spelled that w/out cursing, for Fofa's sake, but it's pretty funny when he says Damma for Grandma) So... I have to publish this post just to include the pictures of the cutest little kids in the world, besides my unborn children (which, I must say, that Michelle admits she "selfishly" doesn't want me to have, because once I have my own children, I won't "love" hers as much, haha).

Here are some cute / funny pictures:

Sydney and Jade with...nice little wigs on

Of course, since I'm her FAVORITE auntie,
Sydney was attached to my leg...not wanting
me to leave!! I was so sad to leave!

Gavin, Hayden, and Sydney in the car.
Hayden is Sydney's "Partner in Crime" but
they are still betrothed.

November in Hawaii!!

Ok, so I have been really bad... September to end of December is a LONG time to be a slacker!!! So, since Mom and Dad (Mainha & Painho respectively) live there, we had to visit them. It really is such a shame they live all the way in Hawaii, really...

During our stay, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center MANY times, and watched the "worth seeing" shows, which included the one at the following villages: Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti, New Zealand, and Samoa. Hawaii is really the most boring show unfortunately, so we didn't go to it!.

Some highlights of the trip:

The Swap Meet
My favorite part...all kinds of JEWELRY for REALLY good PRICES!! Yes, I'm addicted. Jordan also got a nice big piece of luggage to haul his scuba diving equipment, for the low price of $20! I loved the freshwater pearl jewelry, the black Tahitian pearl jewelry, and the Mother of Pearl jewelry--yes, I like pearls!

The Beach
Though the waves were high, the beach was beautiful. I have to say that I prefer bathing in Mexican waters a bit more, since they are more calm and a bit warmer...but Hawaii has beautiful beaches! Jordan and I went snorkeling out to the famous "Bird Island" and saw some pretty fish and coral. We also fried ourselves quite nicely!

The Pool at Turtle Bay
So, I'm not sure Mainha & Painho can really answer that temple recommend question very well...the "are you honest in all your dealings?" one that we all cringe at hearing the bishop ask us? Because...well, Fofa (Mainha) would sneak us into Turtle Bay to go to the pool whenever we wanted. It was really fun. Some pictures below will help you understand what a blast we had. There's a slide. Yes, I do go down the slide with all the little kids. Jordan and I also "took an adventure walk" (that's the one where my inquisitive/adventure-seeking husband likes to "explore" the unknown) down the beach, getting ourselves...well, not LOST, but let's just say we took the long way back--sorry honey :) It was really fun there!

The Polynesian Cultural Center
As I said before, we spent many hours there. I actually wasn't too bad at the spear throw that they do in...I dunno Tonga or Samoa or something. I didn't win, but I was impressed that I actually got close to the target! We went to the Night Show--part Disney World spectacular-type show, part grandma ladies doing this super-boring super-slow Hawaiian dance in what looked like white night gowns--no joke. But THAT's the part that the old man (my dad, who as single-handedly moved from the job title of CFO to CESBNEDA--"control everything in site because nobody else does anything") is working with the cultural folks to get changed. He is sure enjoying himself in his job at the PCC!! Meanwhile, Mainha works at the high-end jewelry store at the PCC--YES, it is the cush job since it's the only place in the whole center that is air conditioned--way to pick it Fofa!! Oh, and did I mention she gets 50% off the jewelry? It's time to update the will!! I would really enjoy some black pearls...just so you know, Mom...

Waikiki
More shopping...and a beach that has...PEOPLE on it!! I am a people person, so that was fun to see. I also get a little paranoid at the beach, especially in the water when nobody's around... Jordan thinks I'm a freak, but hey, he married me!! haha... So, downtown Waikiki has some FANCY boutiques. Mainha and I spent the day in Waikiki drooling over all of the expensive "STUFF" in the boutiques. Yes, it was depressing how much I had to pass up due to my impoverished state. BUT, we went to Nordstrom Rack and Pier One--I know, so authentic--and bought a few very reasonably priced items!! The last day, before Jordan and I went to the airport, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory with the folks. It was their first time--yes, I told them about the BAM BAM Chicken and Shrimp, Michelle and Andrew, but they got something else :)

"The Bowl" and Pearl Harbor
Ok, I totally want those really cool mosaic maps they have at this memorial. It was beautiful and very peaceful. It was a great place to visit. Pearl Harbor was also amazing. It was crazy how much oil was in the water from the Arizona. Very somber.

Scuba Diving for Jordan
Ok, well, I guess Jordan should write this, but as far as getting him to write anything in the blog--well, that's an uphill battle. I'll just tell you he had a wonderful time on the Big Island (while Fofa and I drooled...that day in the boutiques) scuba diving with his brother. Jordan's brother lives on the Big Island in Kona. He said they saw some amazing things... One day we will both go scuba diving together in Hawaii (Mom, Dad, DON'T MOVE BACK). I'm glad he didn't do a night dive this time--I think he's crazy!! What if a SHARK comes up behind you!

Well, that was our trip. It was so fun. Fofa loved it when Jordan downloaded all these oldies for her iPOD, we loved watching the Celtic Woman DVD with Mainha & Painho (ok, Jordan may have been a little nauseated, but I liked it!) We played Rummikub, my favorite game, and Mexican Train Dominoes. We also partook of Fofa's FABULOUS food. Man, I haven't had a real meal since then. The only kind you get here is the RILL MILL at WINDY's...and that's not even real! Ok, I'm rambling again. Well, suffice it to say, I did make Fajitas last week, and that's about the last I've cooked. Maybe I'll cook tomorrow. Maybe.

In the pool at Turtle Bay doing the "Hills are Alive" Sound of Music pose...for some reason...

Fofa was so funny coming down the slide--she'd always
have her arms open wide, like she was going to run
into the grand children

That's my honey... on our "adventure hike" down
the beach by the Turtle Bay Resort

Fofa and me at...this balconie thingie at
"The Bowl" cemetary of war heroes

Jordan and me at that same "The Bowl" place
but a different angle--it was so green!! And I
almost didn't use this picture because I look really
fat in it, but Jordan looks good, so I sacrificed for the
greater good. But hey, I have to face the music--I have gained
10lbs since I've been married. I'm getting OLD!

Work, Play, and a Tuesday/Thursday Baby

Some more news!

Jordan is really enjoying his new job and his classes. The plan is to major in Econ because he's doing very well in his Econ class and really enjoys it--plus it's a short major that will be a good foundation for his MBA. At work, he is at the top of his training class--he did a test call yesterday and the trainer said that it was the best call he'd heard in his whole time training groups for tech support calls, and couldn't even think of anything to critique him on. So that made him feel pretty good!

Jordan also gets the opportunity, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when he doesn't have class, to babysit a friend of the family's baby...Ava. (my mother-in-law, Lenore, babysits her on Mon, Wed, and Fri) She's only 3 months old, but was premature, so she's pretty small. SO cute, and SO well behaved! Her mom, Jen, drops her off at 7:30 in the morning while she goes to school, and picks her up at 12:30. Jordan changes her diaper, feeds her, plays with her--but mostly she just sleeps while he studies. I try to come home for lunch on those days, of course :) It's very cool to see how cute he is with the baby--nice preparation for the future!!

I'm doing just fine--same old same old! I think I'm going to join Kristin's choir, since I'm a loner during the weekdays after work! They practice downtown now instead of in Bountiful now, so that helped me decide. Well, I mean, decide to try out--I don't know if I'll make it in, but I feel like if Kristin got in, I should be able to as well.

I also JUST got a new calling since being released from Young Women. Kind of a bummer calling--I know I shouldn't say that--but I was called to the Enrichment committee. Guess I should actually go now! :) I'm sure it will be good though, and help me learn and grow and all that good stuff, of course.

Well, that's all the news!! Til next time!

The Start of a Family Blog!

Ok, here's the news!

Jordan and I have been living in Riverton for the past year--and we're actually coming up on our two-year anniversary this October! Time flies when you're...having fun :) I am working at iBAHN still--a hitec company that provides Internet and conference services to the hospitality industry. I love my job in the Marketing department, where I get to work on our brochures, ads, and coordinate our tradeshows and promotions. I also decided I wanted a little "money on the side," and so I signed up to be a stylist for Layers Clothing. It has been really fun! www.layersclothing.com Of course, let me know if you'd like to order anything... but don't worry, I'm trying really hard not to be the "annoying Pampered Chef, Tupperware, MaryKay, etc. lady in the neighborhood" so I won't expect you to buy anything or host a party if you show interest :)

Jordan is starting up school again this fall and will be going "straight through" until he's got his bachelors. He also started a new job doing tech support for Dell while he studies. He's always been such a nerdy guy, so it's high time he gets paid for it!! :) His plan for school is to get his bachelors' degree in business--not sure which--either management or finance probably. He's a pretty smart cookie so he'll be able to do whichever!

Everything is great. I just got released as the Laurel's advisor in our ward--I'm bummed about that, but hopefully I'll get another calling that is just as great where I can "learn and grow," like I'm supposed to! :) Jordan works with the Young Men, helping them earn their "Duty to God" award.

This year, we went to Mexico with Jordan's family (in June) and this fall we will be going to Hawaii to visit my parents. I am very excited, since I haven't been to Hawaii before. Jordan has been a couple of times and has scuba dived quite a bit. I am looking forward to the chance to scuba dive with him.

Other than this, there are no new events in our lives :) We will keep in touch on our blog--hey, this works out for "Journal Writing," right? Ok, if it does, then I won't feel so guilty every time we talk about it in church!!

Until next time, hasta la vista :)

The view from the house on the beach we stay in
when we go to Mexico. This is the patio area.

The view from the beach house at sunset.
The house you see is the one next door.

This is Jordan next to a lovely image
of Maria in a downtown shop

Me in the downtown shop as well.
We didn't buy Maria, by the way :)