July 4th

This is a great sign to sum up my 4th of July! Just kidding, there weren't any "poop" conditions and we actually had a really good time! (This is an actual sign in Yellowstone Park--I was laughing so hard I HAD to take a picture!) The 4th of July is probably my favorite holiday (it's a toss up between the 4th and Christmas, I love them both!) There is just something awesome that you feel when you watch the fireworks and realize all the sacrifices that so many have made so that we can live in a free country. Anyways, we went up to Island Park on the 2nd to stay in my brother in law's cabin. We drove into West Yellowstone that night and saw Footloose at the Playmill Theater. We had great seats located right on the stage. It was a fun show!
On Friday we drove into Yellowstone and went on the Northern loop and saw Norris Geysers, Mammoth Falls and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. I know that I had seen all of those when I was a lot younger, but it was so fun to see. Here's Blake and I at Norris Geysers. I think he thought they were going to be "guys" but there was just a lot of steam coming out. On Saturday we did our tradition of going to a movie and lunch--we saw Up (very, very cute!) and had a nice Birthday lunch at Jonny Carino's. It's my younger brother Tim's birthday the fourth. (I know, he gets a parade AND fireworks for his birthday!) Here's Blake and I waiting for the sun to set to watch the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration! It was a great weekend and it was nice to get out of Blackfoot and do something. I hope you all had a great 4th of July too!

What I've Been Up To

Wow it's been a while since I have updated--sorry to leave you hanging (all two of my faithful followers!) I have actually been plenty busy with Primary, Family Reunions, Relay for Life, work and other stuff. I've been working on a few projects lately that I wanted to share with y'all too.
I bought a kitchen table and chairs at the Relay for Life garage sale. I was excited because the price was right and Pablo and I will be needing someplace to eat. The only thing is that they need to be stripped and re painted. As of right now, they are just waiting for me in my parents garage! I'm sure they are so glad I bought them!

My next project is a sneak peek for Michelle. I bought a bunch of fun beads and soon they will be your watch! I will get it done soon, I promise!

My friend Yesica from Chile is expecting a baby girl so I decided I needed to make her a rag quilt. I'm not much of a seamstress as you all may know but I do like working on smaller projects. Hopefully this one will turn out right!

I LOVE Bob!

Thanks to the idea from my friend Stephanie, I added a ticker to my overall goal of weight loss on the side... And I just found a new, awesome tool to help encourage. If you have ever watched The Biggest Loser then I am pretty sure it is hard not to just love Bob Harper. There is just something about him that makes me want him as my own personal trainer. So, I stumbled upon his own site that you can log into for FREE and get encouragement, challenges, etc.
Check it out at www.mytrainerbob.com. Also, as if that is not enough Bob for you, his new book just came out in paperback and it's on my wishlist! It's called, Are You Ready! Oh, I just love Bob!

To the Highest Bidder!

So the Relay for Life is coming quick and I haven't done my part to raise some money. I think it's a great cause and I'm so excited to go and participate, even if it means walking all night. Laura has put together a great team this year and I'm excited to get to know these ladies better.
Okay, so I'll get to the point. At the Relay there is a great way to raise money by buying a luminaria bag. They are sold for $10 and each bag is to represent someone you know who has passed away or has been a survivor of cancer. On the night of the Relay, our team will put out all of the luminaria bags that our team has gathered and light them with a candle. Then everyone there will do a walk around the track in silence for those people. It is an awesome experience and helps you realize that the reason you are there is for those people.
So where am I going with this? I want YOU (yes, Y-O-U) to get involved too! I know that money is tight but I also know that $10 is a great way for you to donate and be able to honor someone you love. You can donate online and I can decorate the bag for you or if you want to get the money to me, I will get you a bag and you can decorate it yourself. And if you are close by, feel free to come the night of the Relay and see what it is all about!
I'm going to through out an extra incentive. I'm sure most of you have seen these cute watches like this one:
Well, I will bid off a watch to the highest bidder. You can even tell me if you want it black and white, browns or even specific colors. But the best part of the deal is that the highest bidder will not only get the watch, but all the money will go to the Relay AND they can apply that money to as many luminaria bags as possible in as many names as they want. So, once again the highest bidder will get: the custom designed watch, money donated to the American Cancer Society AND pick the name/names for the luminaria bags! WOW! Leave me a comment with your bids and I will let the bidding go until next Friday!
Also, if you are just interested in donating, you can do so by sending me some money (checks made out to the American Cancer Society) or by clicking HERE to donate online. Thanks and good luck!

Community Council of Idaho

I haven't blogged in a bit because I haven't had time! Why? (You may be asking yourself, I don't know...maybe your not?) I got a new job! I am working for the Community Council of Idaho (CCI) in their Migrant Seasonal Head Start (MSHS) as an Infant Teacher. I just had two days of training in Idaho Falls and it has me really excited!
So what do I do? I will be working with the kids 0-2, talking to them in Spanish and English and helping them get the skills they may or may not be getting at home. The downside of my job is that it is in Aberdeen so I am driving a long, boring drive every day but the pay is awesome and the benefits a plenty so I am satisfied! And yes, I am the only gringa/white/non-Hispanic person that is currently employed in Aberdeen but my co-workers are all pretty great and a lot of fun to be around! So, here's to this season of MSHS!

Pablo's Portfolio

As his future bride, I think I have the right to brag just a bit about Pablo. (Comes with the title, right?) I guess more than just brag, I am just proud of Pablo for all that he has accomplished recently.
Pablo has been studying for 5 years to become a Publicist--it a degree that is similiar to a Bachelor's here. Last week he presented his final project and thesis to a board of teachers and passed with flying colors! He made this amazing animated flash video and other things to present. Here are a few pictures of that day:
Here he is presenting to the teachers.

And here he is with his parents afterwards.
He has been working so hard on finishing up everything and I am so proud of him. His degree is a Publicist with a minor in Creativity and he also is certified to teach publicity. What a mouthful! He just set up an awesome blog/portfolio so you can check it out by clicking HERE. I know it's in Spanish, but the ads he has designed are pretty self explanatory. All of the stuff on there is his original work! ( I think he has talent!)
Pablo is a first generation college grad too. I think that's what makes his story even more amazing--neither of his parents were able to go to college and as their only son, he has made them proud by enduring to the end. I know he has made lots of sacrifices to be where he is. After his mission he had no money to pay for school, supplies, etc. So he walked to the street markets (feria) and sold his clothes and books to be able to pay for them. I don't even know what that would be like, to sacrifice that much just to study. I am so proud of him and the amazing example that he is to me.
Entonces felicidades Pablo! Estoy TAN orgullosa de ti y todo lo que has hecho! Te amo muchisimo!

2.5

I couldn't find a picture of 2.5 on google so this will have to do. After my long week of just a few moments of weakness, plenty of sweat and lots of whole grains I dropped 2.5 pounds. It's a start and I have another week to try a little harder and do a little better.