Michelle...

Michelle was an amazing cousin and friend. She always made family time and friend time more enjoyable. Her laugh was fantastic and I loved hearing it. She always made me smile and always made me feel better about myself. Being anywhere near her when she was singing was always a happy event. She was one of the most selfless people I know. She always seemed to be helping someone. I have many great memories with her.

On one New Year's Eve I went snowboarding with Michelle, Justin, Cody, and Paul. Everyone else left us and Michelle and I stayed on the Bunny Hill all day. On the way home we sat in the back of the car fearing for our lives because of the crazy snow storm! It was a great day!

I can't find the picture, but we went to a concert together. I think her voice was better than the entertainer's. On the way home we turned up the music and sang as loud as possible. Her ability to harmonize with the songs made me super jealous but inspired me to try and do it too!

Last Saturday I went to Deadwood to hang out with my family. A bunch of them went down the river on the pontoon boats. Michelle was one of them. This was just one example of the fun things that she did with her cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was also giving them rides on her motorcycle. They LOVE her! 

We went on a secret family service trip one night! We were like ninjas...stealth mode!

Family Time at our grandparents' house was always fun, especially lately when Michelle brought her puppies! I even wanted to hold them and I don't usually like dogs. 

I rode in Michelle's car for part of the trip in Wyoming. It was such a fun drive...talking, laughing, and singing!

She was there for one of the most important days of my life. She always was excited and supported me in all of my life endeavors, even when other people thought I was crazy!  

We went to the fair and saw Clay Walker in concert!

I stole all of the following pictures from Shelly, but I love the memories they hold! 

Family camping trip...we usually go at least once a year. I loved sitting around the fire and talking to my cousins. One year I took my guitar and Michelle and I played and sang songs. It was fantastic! 

That was a great car...

Yesterday I found a quote that describes Michelle perfectly, "Sometimes people are beautiful. Not in looks. Not in what they say. Just in what they are." Michelle was beautiful in many different ways-inside and out. She made people see their strengths. I will always be grateful for her and how she made me feel and the time that I spent with her. I'm grateful that families can be together forever and that I can see her again someday. 

Weekend Fun...

Last weekend Thomas and I went to Nyssa for some family fun time. We rode 4-wheelers and shot targets...some even exploded!! When I went to work on Monday my boss asked me what I did over the weekend. I told her that I shot guns. She got a look of complete shock on her face and said, "I better get away from you." 

They shot at the same target so my mom could say she didn't know who shot it so they could both claim it. 

Thomas is plugging my sister's ears! 

Shooting from both sides of the road!

My dad is ridiculously good at skeet shooting. Whenever I ask him to teach  me he just says that I need to aim better. I give up! 

Thomas is building the exploding targets for us to shoot!

So much preparation for nothing to happen!

My mom got one!!!

Anniversary Extravaganza...

Last weekend Thomas and I celebrated one year of marriage! He planned an amazing trip to Idaho City. 

While we were lost trying to find the cabin Thomas decided to drive off the road and got stuck.

The mud hole that we made. Thomas even used his jacket trying to help the tire get traction! He finally just kept pushing the car to the side while I pushed on the gas and we got out!

This is what he drove off for...not sure why.

Our car sat in the driveway of the cabin all night because we couldn't get it up the hill! The first time we tried to make it up the hill we got stuck. Luckily some fellow campers helped us get out. It made my car super dirty though!

Another reason why I love him! He kept me as warm as possible (even though it was freezing!) He kept the fire going all night!

The Springs! We went to a hot springs resort. I felt out of place but it was fun! Thomas was playing a game in the lobby and then a kid came and tried to take it over. Rude!

We took a picture. Then Thomas said to make funny faces. 

On the way home Thomas said that we should have kabobs for dinner. They were delicious! I was definitely spoiled this weekend! He used our new grill (that we bought for $10 at Goodwill). He put it on top of our old grill (that was free!) because the new grill didn't have legs. Maybe that's why it was only $10. While he was cooking this conversation happened:
Me: We look white trash like our BBQ.
Thomas: No, we don't. I would say comfortable.
Me: Look at me.
Thomas: I guess I'm wearing two right shoes. You're right.

Thomas went to the store after we got home. While he was gone I was thinking that he was my favorite person. Then he brought this home. Ah...I love him!

Our actual anniversary was spent with family all day. While we were at my parents' house my mom told me to get my sister's iPod and her password. It was fun!

The top of our wedding cake that's been in the freezer for a year! It was still delicious!

It's been a good year!

Snowboarding...

Thomas and I have been talking about going snowboarding since we were engaged but we never made it up there. We finally did last Friday night! We went up with my parents and sisters and met a bunch of my family and friends up there! It was my sisters' first time skiing/snowboarding and my parents hadn't been in almost 25 years! I took a lesson with my sister. I learned some great stuff and started taking more risks...and my body paid for it! I went to the chiropractor today and he was shocked by my back. My legs weren't the same length. It was totally worth it though!!! My youngest sister said that she was going to dream of skiing until she gets to go back. She was a natural. She accidentally went off a jump but loved it!

Concerts...

Last night we went to the Goo Goo Dolls concert for FREE in downtown Boise. Then we went to two cover bands (Weezer and soul music). By the end of the night I realized that I have become old and lame. I was about ready to collapse at the end and it was only midnight! It was a night full of great music though!

Office Quotes...

Sam: I almost cut myself on a cracker.
---30 minutes later--
Lauren: How do you cut yourself with a cracker? I just don't understand.

Sam: Look at us trying to cheat the system.
Boss: Hey, the system cheats all of us.

Sam: I have this internal battle between wanting to spend more time with Thomas and wanting to make money.
Lauren: Well you can spend all eternity with Thomas and you never know how long you can make money.

Sam: I'm going to go blind because of the computer and get cancer because of my phone. Technology is ruining my body!

Boss: I hate it when people put recipes on facebook.
Me: Why?
Boss: Because that belongs on pinterest. I hate it when people do that.

Lauren: I haven't eaten since 5:30.
Boss: Well that's not very intelligent. Why are you doing that to yourself? We have snacks.
Lauren: Okay. Why do we have cheese crackers with peanut butter? That doesn't even make sense.

Sam: Italian food is noodles, cheese, and sauce. Mexican food is rice, tortillas, cheese, and meat.
Lauren: What's American food?
Sam: American food has variety.

Boss: It has meth in it.
Sam: We don't support that behavior here.
Boss: You would like it too. It's good stuff.
Lauren: I have pills.
Boss: What kind?

Penguin Plunge...

This morning I participated in the Penguin Plunge. It is a fundraiser for Special Olympics. We had a contest at work to see if my boss or I had to jump in with team SL Start and Imagine Services. We put two money jars out and whoever got the most money in their jar had to jump. It was me! It was freezing but super fun!

There were people ice fishing near where we jumped it!

Team Imagine!

The ice blocks that were taken out of the lake for us to jump in!

Notice how both are hands are in fists. I was so cold it hurt!