So much fun, so little time!

The past few days my mother and grandma came out to visit. They had been to Germany vacationing together and stopped by Buffalo on their way home. They arrived Friday night and left Wednesday morning, so it was a quick trip. My grandma had never been out to Buffalo so we showed her a few of the major highlights! Here is a quick summary of our time together!

>Our quick day trip to toronto where we enjoyed the mid-evil dinner theater. Eating a four course meal with our hands, while watching a theater show, with real josting was quite the experience! We had tons of fun being treated like Lords and Ladies!
The grand entrance. The competition begins! We were cheering for the yellow knight!
My mother, grandma and myself in our crowns!
>Niagara falls, of course! My Grandma had never been. We showed off the Canadian side(the NY side is so disappointing), and enjoyed an afternoon shower on the maid of the mist!
The American falls!It was a beautiful day to go and see the falls!
Us girls on the Maid of the mist!
We also stopped by the huge Hershey store and tried some yummy fudge!
My mom and I giving the kiss a kiss!!
>We took a day to spend in Palmyra. We enjoyed Hill Cumorah, the temple, the Joseph Smith farm, sacred grove, and the book of mormon publication site. I had never been to the Grandin Building(book of mormon publication site), so that was very interesting to see how the book of mormon was published and the story behind it. I must say I have been out there numerous times, but my favorite part is the Joseph smith farm and sacred grove!
One of the first editions of the book of Mormon. It was in paragraph form.
A beautiful picture of the temple.-A quick little story about the Palmyra temple. It is the only temple that has a window where you can see inside the temple from the outside and look outside from the inside. President Hinkley was standing in the temple while it was being constructed and said he wanted to stand in the temple and look out a window straight into the sacred grove. So there is that one window in the temple that you can see straight out of into the sacred grove, "The Hinkley Window."
Three generations in the sacred grove. It was so beautiful!
>On our way home from Palmyra we stopped at the outlet mall. We were only in there for less than a hour, but I walked away happy. 4 shirts, and one pair of pants for $55!! What a deal!!
>While my family was in I had a few projects that I was able to use their assistance and guidance on. First the basement: I want to make it more inviting down there, so we made "curtains" or hanging sheets to close off half the basement(for storage and laundry), so the other half I can carpet and use as a craft room, office, or whatever!
Me showing off the basement. It looks so much cleaner now!(don't mind the crazy outfit, after church I just through on random pjs!)
Next, a few baby blankets, I bought the material a while ago, but needed some guidance, my grandma is good at sewing/crafts, so now I have blankets and burp cloths, for a girl and a boy! We just need to get started now!
One of the girl balnkets, the boy one is in camo. I think they turned out cute. (its hard to see, it's folded up)
I also wanted to make some cute halloween placemats. I got an idea from pottery barn kids, and am patterning mine off theirs! I am still working on those so no pics!
>We even had time to get some pedicures. There are so many salons here in Williamsville, so we took an afternoon, after our day at Niagara Falls to relax and get pampered! Oh, it was my grandma's first real pedicure too! A lot of firsts for her on this trip!
>And we were well fed of course. Not including all the food I made at home, we enjoyed some yummy buffalo pizza, the pancake house and one of our favorites the Cheesecake Factory!
John and I both enjoyed our time together with our family! We had so much fun doing all that we did, there is so much fun to do and so little time. Thanks again for the visit!

**Oh, this is for all my AZ friends! I am coming down October 20-27th so we have got to get together and do lunch or a girls night or something fun!! I can't wait!**

"FREE" Time with John

Well, I was lucky enough to have the weekend off, and in between John going to the lab and prepping/constructing different teeth and projects and studying at home we were able to squeeze in a little fun!
Friday we just hung out at the house after I got home from work, and tried to watch an office episode to help us get ready for the upcoming season!! In which we are very excited about.
On Saturday John spent most of the day at the lab. I had the day off, so I walked down to a nearby farmers market to check it out. I love how out here there is so much locally grown produce, it's so amazing and a lot better tasting too!! I did a few things around the house, and went into school and hung out with John a little. There were a few wifes/girlfriends there, everyone was calling it bring your wife to school day! Saturday night was the ward BBQ, John and I went there and enjoyed talking to our great friends, and enjoying the beautiful weather at a local park. After the BBQ, we went up to North campus. There was a fall fest going on featuring multiple bands, one being All American Rejects! We had heard it was free to all UB students, so we went and checked it out, it had started at 4pm, and by this time it was 9pm already but if it was free, we had to check it out! So we did. And it was great. We got in fine, they did not even check UB student cards (maybe because we were late?) But we walked into the arena, down on the floor, and up next was All American Rejects. Perfect timing, that is who we wanted to see anyway! We managed to squeeze our way through the crowd of college students, and up pretty close to the front. We were so close. All American Rejects put on a great show. We had so so much fun together. They sang all my favorite songs. John kept wanting me to go crowd surfing but I said No Way!!( we saw a few people fall) We were so glad we went to check it out, we ended up seeing an awesome FREE show!! At the end of the night, we were so sweaty, and our ears were ringing, but we had a blast!!
John getting excited for the concert!
John and I patiently waiting for All American Rejects to come out!
A few pics from the show!

An after shot! All tired and sweaty but we enjoyed the show!
Next weekend my mother and grandma come out to Buffalo for a few days, we are anxious to have them here!!!

Labor Day Fun-Due!!

First of all, yes the camera has been found! Thanks to John. We had looked everywhere for it, and we were beginning to get worried. The last time we had it was on John's Birthday, I made dinner and we had a romantic dinner and movie in the park. We brought the camera and that was the last time we remember having it. So I thought for sure it was no longer in the park, but good thing John thought differently because he went down to the park and in the same spot a week and half later the camera was laying in the grass!! WOW!
Enough about that, Happy Labor Day! I know it is amazing to think that today was a holiday and I did not have to work! So John and I enjoyed it. This morning I started the holiday off withmy first race! I ran a 15K, which is almost 10 miles. My goal was to run the whole thing, and I successfully did it. I actually did it quicker than I expected with an average 8 minute mile. I really enjoyed it. It was my first race so I did not know what to expect. I feel okay today but I have to work the next two days, that is if I can get out of bed! My next goal: John and I finishing a marathon together. After he is done with school of course!
Arriving to the race location. I received my number, and my champion chip which will time the race! The nano is even loaded with songs I picked to push me through to the finish line!
Right before the race is about the begin. John on the sideline cheering me on!
Yes, I still have a smile on the face. 1 hr, 23 mins later. Post race! Yeah, I did it!
After that exhausting morning came our fun Fondue Party!! We invited and hosted several of our friends for some yummy fondue. I made a cheese and chocolate fondue that we enjoyed with numerous dipping items. We enjoyed getting together and eating, along with some guitar hero!
The presentation, I know not to spectacular but boy was it yummy!
John tossing Caleb (one of our sunbeams) onto the love sac, he is flying!
Some Boys rockin out at Guitar Hero!
A few Kandid pics of friends at our Party!!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday!

Okay, I will admit it!

I know I am a little too old and too mature to be obsessed with this, but I am not afraid of sharing my new little secret. Maybe there are people out there just like me.
But I love High School Musical.

If you have not heard of it, Go rent it. High School Musical two just came out, and my wonderful husband John got it for me, and I have watched it twice in two days! I won't go on and on about it, but I think its a cute show and entertaining, not to mention my secret crush!!!! Zac Efron!

Bad News. . . . NO CAMERA

I apologize up front, our camera is missing ( i hope, and not gone forever!). Just a quick update and I will try to look harder to see if I can find it, so I can post some pics
* John is keeping busy at school, as a second year he is spending more time in the lab!
* I spent the day with my friend Briste going out to Rochester for some shopping and PF Changs.
* Having fun with John's new B-day gifts. A portable external hard drive and a garmin navigation system.
* Cleaning the house and organzing/cleaning the basement.
* Having Girls night tonight! A BBQ with friends!
All is well here in Buffalo! We miss our friends and family!

In honor of my Lovely Husband John

It is John's special day. His day to do as he pleases and for me to step back. Today he is the big 2-6! I can't believe I have known John for more than 3 1/2 years. Ever since I first met him he had something special about him that made me want more and I am still attracted to him in so many ways. I learn more about him each day I am with him. The more I learn, the more I want to be with him. The more I serve him, the more I see who he truly is. The more I sacrifice for him, the more I want to be like him. The more I listen to how I feel, the more I realize that I am the luckiest girl to have such a wonderful husband!
I love you John. Happy Birthday!

Last weekend before REAL school!!

So last week John had a nice easy week, being orientation and all. Having free BBQ's, socials, and getting to catch up with friends he had not seen over the summer. This next week is a different story. He starts classes. His schedule is packed, taking 32 credits this next semester, he will be crazy busy. So this weekend we took advantage of our time together. Friday we went to a nice school catered lunch, an ice cream social and then we joined our ward for the annual ward campout. John and I just went for the night. We enjoyed some nice tin foil dinners, and spending time with friends in the ward. We watched the ward talent show out in the woods, unfortunately I could not talk John into doing a talent.
A nice bonfire that not only cooked us dinner, but lighted the stage for the talent show and kept us warm.
John and I at the ward campout. It was like 20 minutes away, so very convenient.
Saturday morning John and I had fun playing volleyball with friends at the church. I miss playing volleyball, so it was tons of fun to get out there again! Saturday night was the big party! Yes, the big 26 for John is on the 22nd, so us and several of our friends gathered at the local Chuck E Cheese's and had a great night. Everyone had fun playing games, eating pizza, and just hanging out! The birthday boy had a blast, mostly playing games with friends!
The big birthday boy! Doesn't he look cute next to Chuck E Cheese!
John and Me at his birthday!
The boys playing a game at the party!
Me with the birthday boy! What a place to celebrate, where the 26 year old can act like a kid!
The weather has been really nice lately. It is actually starting to cool off. Which I know to those of you in AZ seems impossible. But it is almost September so fall weather is beginning here, with temps in the 60-70's! I don't know how I feel about this weather, it feels so perfect out now, but I know this means winter is going to be coming sooner than I want! It brings back memories!
Last October.

2 vacations for the price of none!

I know this is a much needed update, so here it goes. I must first warn you, I did not make one of those slide show things, so you will just have to scroll through all the pics.
So for the last 2 weeks of summer John has been out of town and for the past week I was able to join him as we met up with my family in San Diego! Can I just say it was one of the best vacations ever. It was beautiful weather, wonderfully company, great food, relaxation and the beach. What more do you need.
John and I enjoying a walk and watching the sun go down in Beautiful San Diego!
We set up a blanket and relaxed on the beach while the sun went down.
Prior to our time in California John enjoyed his time in Arizona spending time with his family and a few of his friends. Soaking up the sun, and not worrying about school or studying.
In AZ John got to spend time with his brother and sister!!
John drove out with my parents and I flew in along with my sister and her husband and 2 boys. We stayed in a nice condo right in Mission beach, out in front was the beach and behind us was the bay! Each day was filled with so much fun! A few highlights of the trip included:
>John scuba diving with his friend from AZ who was in Cali too. He did this
before I came up, otherwise I would have joined him.
The scuba divers. John saw a huge manta ray!

>Surfing and boogie boarding in the cool ocean water! Definately better at
boogie boarding but surfing is so cool, I wish I was better at it!
John in the process of catching a wave. John is the pro surfer. It is tons of fun and can be frustrating too!
John and I in front of our boards. Excited to hang ten!! Yeah right, I was lucky to catch a wave and ride it in!

>Sand castle building, volleyball playing and walking along the beach!

>Going to the World famous San Diego Zoo. It was so amazing. Our favorites
were the polar bears and the arangatangs.
John is happy to be entering the Zoo for a whole day of fun with the animals!

Caden and myself posing on the silver polar bear!


>A session in the San Diego Temple with my sister and brother in law, while my
parents babysat. It was awesome to be inside my favorite, most beautiful
temple!
John and I at the beautiful temple!
The whole gang in front of the temple!

>Watching fireworks from our balcony each night. (Sea world set them off each
night)
Aunt Sarah and nephew Jackson while watching the firework show!

>Playing games and watching movies after a long day at the beach.

>Our 15 mile bike ride around mission bay and down the boardwalk. Talk about a
sore bum the next day!
John flying off a little cliff, look at the air he caught!
John even put on a show. After flying off the cliff, he went straight into the water, all the way under and rode back out. It was hilarious!!
The Hunter family: Nick, Jessika, Caden, and Jackson!

>Shopping at the outlet mall and getting great deals!

>Enjoying a few roller coasters at Belmont Park!
My mom, sister, John and me on the Big Dipper, the classic wooden roller coaster at Belmont Park at Mission Beach! It was tons of fun.


>Boys Golf day! John still tries to impress my dad.
The boys early morning golf session near the ocean!

>Eating and eating so much great food!

It was a great vacation and great to spend time with my family since it does not happen too often since we are far away in Buffalo. Thanks Mom and Dad for the great trip! The reason we got two vacations for the price of none is: not only did we enjoy San Diego with my family, but John on his way to Arizona, and on his way back from San Diego(we took separate flights) had stayed behind and caught a later flight and recieved vouchers. . . so now we have over $800 in southwest money to buy us another vacation! I am thinking Mexico, Hawaii, or to Florida for a cruise! (ha ha)

Enjoy some more pics!!

Cute little Caden doing the monkey bars!
My brother in law Nick during our cathing-the-grape-in-your-mouth-contest! John and I won!


John hanging out with the ladies.


John inside a hole he dug, he actually made it much deeper so you could sit inside and no one could see you and then he would pop up and scare people!

Thought this was cute. My mom (grandma) and Caden sitting on their boards watching the waves.
Yeah! Our reunion since our week being apart and John's first time seeing my short hair!