San Valentino

While serving as a missionary in Argentina, we met a man named Erminio. We loved Erminio. He was a tall, slender man in his 70's that walked with really fast, small steps and extremely good posture. He didn't see well so we ordered him one of those gigantic copies of the Book of Mormon. Man did he love that book. He would carry it around everywhere, telling his friends and neighbors about it and that they should let us come teach them. What a gem.

After a few lessons with Erminio, we decided we would teach him about the 10 commandments, specifically that we are to pray only to God and not to Saints. The lesson was going great, until we brought up Saints. Erminio got a concerned looked on his face. He went into his bedroom and brought out a small picture of San Valentino, and with all the earnestness in his little heart began to share his testimony to us of San Valentino, and how whenever he prays to him, he can get any woman he wants. Just in case you forgot, Erminio is in his 70's. And he just told us if he prays to this saint he can get any woman he want. Wow.

Well, I looked at my companion and we started giggling. Then the giggling turned to uncontrollable laughter. I know. Not the most mature response. But really? Really Erminio? Did you really just tell us that? He asked what was so funny and I made up some excuse about how we were really tired and something earlier had happened that was funny, etc., etc. I'm not sure if he bought it. Then my companion asked if she could use his bathroom. Great. Now it's just me and Erminio. After some awkward silence and me hoping he didn't pray to San Valentino right then and there, my companion came out. We ended the lesson and left.

Every Valentines day I can't help but think of Erminio and wonder if is still praying to San Valentino.

Valentine Poetry

Best Valentine I've ever received. Ever.

(inside)

....You make me blush

I go hush hush

and turn to mush

when I see your hair so lush

my ♥ starts to rush

Provo Tabernacle

The Provo Tabernacle burned down. So sad. It was such a beautiful building.

It makes the roommate pictures we took outside of it extra special I guess.

This is incredible!

We did it again this year

All growing up we always got pajamas on Christmas Eve. When we started going on missions that tradition kind of died. Last year we decided to resurrect the tradition and THIS was the result. I don't know if you can top matching footsie pajamas with glow in the dark rockets on them, but we kept the tradition alive this year anyway. Pretty good if you ask me. We also got the parents and guests involved.

Oh, and for roommate Christmas we couldn't resist either :)!

And don't forget about the 2nd annual sibling Norwegian sweater picture.

Living in HD

Last May I decided to get LASIK and it has changed my life! Seriously. Best thing I have spent money on in a long time. Dr. Harrie did a fantastic job! Can you imagine in just a minute and a half per eye you can have perfect vision?! No more blurriness when I get in bed or wake up in the morning. No more sleeping in contacts when camping. No more wondering if I'm putting some disease in my eye when I'm in a third world country. And the best part about it?...........My vision is so sharp and clear I feel like I'm living in HD!

Ooooops. So sorry

So I may have taken a small hiatus from blogging. Not on purpose. Believe me, I've wanted to post. But, well, I don't know..............I guess I really don't have much of an excuse. But I promised a friend I'd play catchup on the last 3 months (and really the last year-let's be honest, this hasn't been my best blogging year). So get ready for more regular posting :)

We Are Family

I won a photo shoot from Aynn Thurman to help support "Donate a Day for Danger." Aynn did an INCREDIBLE job. You should check out her website. I love the photos and I love my family!

Hebgen Lake Montana

I took a couple of my roommates up for a weekend trip with my family to our cabin at Hebgen Lake, Montana. It had been way too long since I had been there and Lizzie and Ash had never been to Yellowstone. So we showed them the sites and they even got to see things many tourists never get.

Here's the view from the deck at the cabin. Love it!We went into West Yellowstone and looked at shops. And no night is complete there without stopping at the Playmill for a show.Some of the hot geyser waterI've been going to Yellowstone for years and have never seen a bear. But this year we saw a black bear............
............two baby grizzlies......
........and mama grizzly.
The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
The girls. It was pretty windy!
We got lucky with how much wildlife we got to see.
Morning Glory

Vancouver, the one in Washington

Last weekend two of my roommates and I took a much needed break and went to Vancouver Washington. Ashley's family was nice enough to put us up and entertain us. It was a PERFECT weekend! We took a detour after being picked up at the airport to check out the Portland Temple My cute roommates. Yes they are fun size. Our first full day Ash's family took us boating on Lake Merwin. It was SOOO beautiful surrounded by all the pine trees. And it was almost 100 degrees that day so the cold water was very refreshing. Getting ready to get pounded on the tube Friday we drove to Cannon Beach Haystack Rock What can I say, we like to jumpSaturday we made the trek up to Seattle Feeding the seagulls at Ivar's Pike's Market Space Needle We scalped some tickets and were able to see the Mariners vs. Yankees game The Mariners were losing 1-0 for most of the game until a grand slam was hit in the 8th inning! Some people were too tired to walk back to the car after all the excitement