Staining the coffee table

Last Saturday, we decided that we would (finally) stain our coffee table. Justin put the coffee table together the first year we were married. He's emotionally attached to it. I would advise all that decide to stain, even if you are outside, staining fumes can still be fuuunnnnn!

This is during the staining process. The original color is that really light color on the bottom shelf.

This is what it looked like nearly finished. I really like the color, but perhaps one more coat of stain...

Chris and Shae

So, for those who don't know, Chris and Shae have been together since September (I believe) of last year. I figured I would post a picture of them together. Don't mind the rain drops. They are very finicky about getting their picture taken, so I had to shoot them through the back window.

Christmas and New Years

For Christmas this year we went to Fernley. We were instructed that we had to, seeing as it was Chris' first Christmas back. We had a wonderful prime rib dinner on Christmas Eve. Unfortunately, I got rather sick that morning and the rest of the visit was spent with either me sleeping or taking it real easy. I did, however, get a lot of rest and relaxation while we were there. As for loot, as everyone seems to be listing their squander, Justin gave me a ice cream maker attachment for my kitchen aid mixer and "Santa" got me a guitar. It is gorgeous, but, like I said, I was sick, so I don't think my parents got the reaction they wanted when I saw it. Instead of, "AHHHHHH!!!!! WOOOHOOOO!!!" they got a groggy "Awesome. Thanks." Sorry. Justin got an ammo box and sunglasses. The expensive ones... Oakleys... he's been wanting them ever since he lost his old one in the Vegas airport on our way to San Francisco. We got food storage from Justin's parents. The most awesome part about that was that it was Campbell's food storage, so there is soup and other Campbell's memoribilia with it. I'm one of the two daughter-in-laws who likes to collect the Campbell's stuff.

While we were in Fernley, Justin and I picked up an International Harvester Scout for Justin's brother, Merril. We drove to Truckee, which is just over the California state line... right on the edge of Donner Pass... in winter... lets just say that it gets a little snowy up there. Dow and Hannah came the day before to get some of her stuff from her ex. Dow said that it was funny that he drove out to the middle of no where and there we were. Crazy Dow...

That leads up to New Years Day. As per tradition, we went to the Coral Pink Sand Dunes and promptly sunk the Powerstroke to its axels in snow. That was an adventure. We had to unhook the trailer and get the jeep off the trailer before Merril could pull us out with his Scout (see above paragraph). Denton, one of our friends who went with us, sunk his Tahoe and trailer to the axels as well. Really, it was the story of the day. We really didn't think that we were going to be able to do much wheelin, but managed to take the back way to Coral Hill. The rest of the day was spent trying to make it to the top, sledding and tubing, and getting pulled out of thigh deep snow drifts. As Chris said, after becoming the one to discover the thigh deep snow, "I nearly froze the brothers!" (Sorry, I thought that was so funny! I laughed for ten minutes straight afterwards.) I have pictures and video, but they are on my cameras in the truck and its late and cold and windy outside, so I'll have to post them later. Until then, I hope you all had a great Christmas and New Years!

Girls Weekend in Pine Valley

A few weekends ago, I went on a girls weekend in Pine Valley with Justin's Mom and Grandma and several other female cousins and Aunts. We all had a good time.

Alex's Eagle Scout Project

After Zions, we went to Fernley to help Alex with his Eagle Scout project. The Scouts had prepped the parking balustrades (or whatever they are) for painting the previous weekend. The paint was white and it took several coats to make sure it covered correctly. We also painted the sign, which was definitely more dangerous than we had anticipated. Uncle Dave had his work truck there so that we could use the compressor to paint the sign. It was very helpful.

The final wipe down before painting.

Those to scouts in the back are standing on the tops of ladders. Literally, on the top of the ladder. That's what I deemed more dangerous than anticipated. The craziest thing about this picture is that the sign that they are painting is not over the entrance to the cemetery. The entrances are on the corners of the cemetery. Completely bizarre... talk about your poor planning...

Zions National Park for Dow's Birthday

We went with Dow and Hannah to Zions to hike for his birthday. We asked what he wanted for his birthday and that's what he decided. It was cold and snowy (yes, snowy) but so much fun and so pretty.


Dow and Hannah.


A picture of the snow.

I Love Fall! All the gorgeous colors...

I Got a New Haircut... Lalalalalala

Here it is! I love it! Justin's still getting used to it. Chris thinks it is cute. What do you think? Oh, and did I mention that it is super easy to do?