Noah and the deLeon Wedding

We are still on our Christmas vacation and loving the time off and in the sun.  The first couple of days we were able to spend in Utah with the Olsons.  We visited our newest nephew- Noah- and absolutely fell in love with him.  He has the best shade of red hair and is so so cute.  It had been a long time since I had held a baby so newly born- it had only been a couple of days since he was born. 

We also went to Utah to attend my cousin Carly's wedding.  The temple sealing was amazing and I am so happy for her and her new husband.  It's always great to be able to hear and remember what is really important in our lives.

I am on my parent's computer and I have no idea how to post edited pictures from it, so I'll just wait, because they do look better edited...

I'll also post about our awesome San Diego Carey Adventures!

yes, it's true, Josh is awesome

I know.. pretty awesome right.  

Reasons my husband is great:

1- just look at the picture

2- he cleans the house and kitchen more than I do

3- he has his last final today for 2010

4- he makes dinner a lot- because I forget and am too lazy

5- he is stuck with me for eternity

6- he dresses better than I do most days

7- he has awesome red hair- the reason I wanted to date him when I first saw him

8- he is hilarious- if you don't believe me ask my brother and cousins- they love to hear him talk

9- he lets me eat all the popcorn

10- he shaved right after the picture was taken

Riley Mckay

So I decided to start an etsy shop!  I've named it Riley Mckay Desings.  I'm kind of nervous about it and pretty sure no one will buy anything, but it gives me a reason to sew and have fun!

Why the name Riley Mckay?

I named it after my two younger sisters- Madison Riley and Mckay Kristine. I remember as a child praying that I would get a sister- I was lucky enough to get 2.  I love them very much and I enjoy hanging out with them.

What do I sell?

As of right now, not a whole lot... but I'll be making purses and other things I think of.  I have some great headbands I've made that I use when running that are great because they don't slip at all- so when I get the right materials I'll add some of those.  I made some for my sister and her friends on the volleyball team and they loved them.

Check it out! Let me know what you think!

Thanks

Elder Gillette

I can't believe he is gone!  Conner went into the MTC today!!  I just know he'll be great.  I am so proud of my little brother.  I love that he is making this great decision for himself.  This makes me feel really old...

.... tomorrow...

I found this today and absolutely loved it and laughed out loud.  I miss this little girl!

 I had fun watching videos on my computer today-- this one also made me laugh.

In June when my family was in Oregon we decided to have our own "minute to win it" challenges.  This is Conner trying to get at least 60 on the pedometer that is tied to his head.  Sorry it is the wrong way- I don't know if there is a way to turn it.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving!

Things I'm thankful for:

-Being able to go to California to see Conner one last time before he leaves for his mission to the Philippines.

-Spending time with my family

-Playing idiot with family

-Going to Business Costco and laughing at my sisters running around in the store with their eyes closed and wearing the bright orange jackets in the huge freezer and dreaming about owning my very own frozen yogurt machine

 -Going to the temple- even though it was closed and we didn't know, we were able to see the new visitors center which looked awesome

 -Burning my hair on Thanksgiving with a curling iron- it smelled really bad but I don't think it it noticeable so it is okay for a little while- I'll have to get it cut soon though...

-Spending time with my Grandma

-Finishing my painting of me and Josh-  I got the picture ready, Conner outlined it on the canvas and I painted it- I like how it looks on our shelf

-Coming home and putting up our 1 Christmas decoration- we have ornaments but no tree, so maybe we'll hang those somewhere too, but later

Shutterfly

I love a good deal- so I am posting about this so you can all share in my happiness of this deal. 

My parents have done a picture Christmas card every year they have been married.  I have wanted to contnue this tradition, but with no kids I've felt we are boring and no one wants just a picture of us.  But I am going to send one out this year anyway.  Maybe someone will enjoy it.  Maybe just my mom. 

But I feel like I can do this because Shutterfly is offering a great deal.  If you blog about Shutterfly you receive 50 free cards.  Done.  There are a lot of great products that you can create with your pictures from Shutterfly.  So check it out.  I love the flat cards with multiple pictures.  I think I'll do a flat card with jsut one picture though because there are only 2 of us, but there are so many options and color choices that it is fun to paly around with the options. 

You can also make calendars for each year personalized with family pictures.  I think it is so fun to see how your family and kids looked last year around the same time and see how they grow.  awesome.

October

We have had a fun month.  Here are some pictures of what I've been up to.  I would say "we've" but then I realized that Josh has been studying or working, so I've done these things by myself, with Josh's support.

Halloween party with some friends from the ward. (One of the husbands was complaining that we always only have pictures of just the women, which is true, but I just don't feel like the guys ever want to get together to take a picture, so too bad for them...) 

Also, I already love going to Joann's and finding fabric, but I love it even more when they have sales and fabric is 50% off- I mean it really is amazing!  I made these two purses this week and have been having so much fun!  I got the design for the first one from this blog, the second one is a pattern I made up- I'm not totally in love with it, but I may tweak things a bit so it looks better. Let me know what you think!

Parent Weekend

My parents came up to Denver to visit for the weekend.  We didn't take a lot of pictures, but we had fun.  I am excited to get everyone together in November for Conner's farewell.  I love family!

My typical work conversation

Convo #1
J: You look really old.
Me:  Oh yeah...
J: Yeah, you look like 13!
Me: Wow, that's old.

Convo #2
B:  You have a broken nose.
Me: I'm pretty sure I don't.
B: I'm pretty sure you do, it's messed up.
Me: Ok, thanks.

Convo #3
B: You're a white girl.
Me: yup
B: I'm a black boy.
Me: true (then I just started to laugh)

I'm never quite sure how these conversations start.   #1 was when we were building with blocks, # 2 was when he was waiting in line to get his picture taken, and then again a week later during reading time (I have never broken my nose and according to Josh it doesn't look broken), and #3 was when he was washing his hands before snack time.

Oh how I love working with 4 year olds.

Labor Day and BYU

On Labor Day we decided to head over to A Taste of Colorado.

We were able to have some samples of food from restaurants we haven't been to before and we had a lot of fun.  We discovered a great place called Gelazzi's that serves sorbetto, we just have to figure out when in Denver it is. It was a fun day and I am glad we went. 

We also were able to attend the BYU v AFA game on Saturday.  The first quarter was fun, we were cheering.  After that we were more just yelling loudly, but it was fun to go and cheer on the Cougars, even though they didn't do well.  I'll still cheer, I just hope they get it together for the next game.  

more mt rushmore

I just wanted to post more group pictures.  Thanks Kaley!

the group in front of the cabin and in front of the mountain... so fun.

Josh inside the cave- he got inside this tiny hole that he had to slither to get in and out of- he loved it!

Mt Rushmore

Last weekend we had the opportunity to go to Mt Rushmore with a lot of our friends.  We were lucky enough to stay in a beautiful cabin that fit 15 people.  It was amazing.  We took a tour of the Mt Rushmore cave, walked around the little town, and watched the lighting ceremony at night of Mt Rushmore.  It was a great trip and we are so glad we went.  I ended up liking being at Mt Rushmore much more than I actually thought I would.  It was really cool. Thanks to all our friends who spent a lot of time planning this trip while Josh an I were in AZ.  It was great and we can't wait for the next trip!!!

the lawyers (Josh, Rob, Levi, Josh)

I don't have a picture of all the boys, but I really liked this one

the girls on Rachel's birthday (hence the pink crown/halo)

(Ashley, Alexandria, Rachel, Alana, Debbie, Kaley)

I don't have a picture of the whole group, I didn't get one with my camera, but maybe I can steal one and put it up...

2 years

I can't believe it has been 2 years.  I love you Josh!

lots of pictures

Me and my family in Oregon at Drake Park- I just really wanted to post the one of my dad jumping.

Josh and I went to the Grand Canyon and Arches on our way home from Arizona.  Even though it took us longer plus a flat tire it was still worth it and a lot of fun.

                                              

"Look at his funny face"

MOM: thanks for taking us to Disneyland, LA and the beach!

DAD: thanks for letting me take your movies

 MCKAY and MADDY: thanks for being the best sisters
CONNER: thanks for having a "funny face" and running with me

BEST QUOTE:  While sitting on Conner's lap Sadie turns to look at his senior picture and says "Look at his funny face" ...gotta love the honesty of a 3 year old.
Let me just say though that Sadie loved being around Conner.  I showed her a picture of him today and she giggled and said "Oh he looks cute.  He always looks so cute.  He got cute."

self timer fun

I love being aunt Lani (pronounced annwani).  

Canyon Lake

Last Saturday we headed out to Canyon Lake with my Uncle Scott's family. It was perfect. The lake was beautiful and their boat had a full cover so we were always in the shade. It didn't feel like 110 degrees until we were packing up the boat. Josh and I both tried wakeboarding for the first time. Super tiring! We also did a lot of swimming and cliff jumping. Only I was too scared to climb as high as Josh did. It was a great way to spend an Arizona summer day.

And this is who I get to spend most of my days with.  Sadie- who thinks I am funny because she makes me laugh.  

LA weekend

A quick trip to LA for a wedding + grass on the temple lawn = picture of us in front of the temple

all because of my mom

ten years ago I decided to run a marathon. My mom had just finished her marathon in St George and I thought it would be fun to say I did the same, so I decided then to run a marathon in 2010. What I didn't know then was how stupid of an idea it is to run a marathon. They are long, painful, boring if you are by yourself, and extremely cold if it decides to pour on you for a good 7-8 miles. But it feels good to say I accomplished something hard, even if it took me way too long. I did it. It is done, and crossed off the list. I no longer have to go out on long runs on Saturday and hope I make it home.

this is when I still felt okay... before the rain/mud/freezing cold, here is was only cold...

before I got on the bus

thank you...

THANK YOU for teaching me to love... for taking me golfing and skiing and rock climbing and jet skiing and crabbing... for teaching me to serve others with all my heart...for teaching me the importance of living a healthy life... for sharing with me the love of running... for supporting me in track and all the many sports I did as a child... for sending me newspaper clippings and sticks of gum... for making me laugh...for reading with me for hours... for taking notes on everything, like funny signs at Disneyland... for spending time with me and my siblings... for coming to my graduations and my wedding...for living your testimony and setting an example for your grandchildren... for letting me sit next to you in the pick-up truck and let me "help" you shift the gears... for sharing your car with me... for being the greatest BYU fan... for being the greatest grandpa a girl could ask for. I'll miss you and I can't wait to see you again. I love you grandpa.

enjoying life

Isn't life awesome!! I feel like we have had a lot going on lately, but then again not at the same time. We've had fun with friends and parties, I've had work and Josh is starting finals. but life is good. After Josh is done with finals we'll be heading down to Arizona for the summer. Josh has an internship there thanks to his brother Chris. We are excited to go and hang out with his family for the summer. I just hope we don't melt. I don't have a lot to say but here are a couple of pictures...

Our stake had a luau one night so I invited my friend Vanessa from work- it was great and we had a lot of fun.


On Saturday we had a couple of cinco de mayo parties. We went to a festival in downtown denver with friends from work, and Josh got a turkey leg- it was amazingly good. Then we had a party with our friends where we enjoyed amazing food and company- the pinata was hilarious.

Idaho Weekend

Congrats to Andy and Dana Gillette! The sealing was wonderful and the whole day was tiring, but a lot of fun. I'm mostly just going to post pictures now...

my cousin sent my parents flat stanley- so of course we had to take him everywhere... like the great state of Idaho


The wedding was great. Dana did a great job on the flowers- they were beautiful.



My family loves to stop and take random photo shoots- so we stopped in Idaho Falls and looked and the falls and the temple- it was really pretty.

Brothers

Alana-age 2 Andy- age 4 1/2 (love the fanny pack and outfit!!!)

Alana- age 8 Conner- age 5

For the first 8 1/2 years of my life I only had brothers. They would pick on me, fight with me, and laugh at me when I got a round brush stuck in my hair. Being the only girl wasn't always fun. All I wanted was a sister. I guess I had to deal with brothers for a while first.
I got sick of getting all the teachers that loved Andy and people expecting me to be just as smart or good at sports as he was. Luckily I was smart, just not as good at baseball and such. Over the years we had our difficult times, but during high school he became my best friend. I remember sitting by the stairs in front of his door with my younger siblings and crying when he left for college. I came to rely on him being there for me that I wasn't sure what I would do. Somehow I made it through high school okay.
Conner on the other hand was the funny one, that brother that loved telling jokes and making everyone laugh. He still does. I must admit, being older I could get annoyed with him easily, I was never the best at being patient. We had fun though. We both enjoyed art (he's 1000x better than I am, honestly, he's amazing), we both did pole vault (not because we were especially good, but because we had heart), and I enjoy laughing at/with him at most anything he does.
This past week was hard for me. Josh didn't have school because it was his spring break, but I had no such luck. I was stuck inside my building working and getting frustrated with the whole operation I was dealing with. To add to the fun I got switched, not by my choice, from the perfect shift (8-4:30) to the not as good shift (noon-8:30, and Saturdays). I didn't get the time I wanted to hang out with Josh, but I did get to talk to both my brothers on the phone. It made me smile. I am excited for what they are doing now and I am so happy for them. They are both great and headed to even greater things this spring/summer (marriage and a mission).

I feel kind of weird now for posting this now, so sorry if it was weird or cheesy, I think I just needed to write it. And The pictures make me laugh.

The ZOOBI

My talented cousin Sarah has come up with what I think is an awesome idea. I don't even need a stroller but I want to buy one...
I stole this from her blog and I didn't post all the great pictures she had, but I just wanted to let you all know about it.

The ZOOBI Ultimate Stroller Caddy and Carry Tote


So what does it do, you say!?
First of all, it's a STROLLER ORGANIZER: 2 large zippered pockets hold all the valuables, you've got a cell phone pocket, a zippered pocket for keys/chapstick, credit card... AND it holds two drinks! (waterbottles, baby bottles, sippy cups, you name it!)
It has two buckles up top on either side that allows it to attach to any stroller - ones with two handles, ones with one big bar, etc...


Secondly, it's a CARRY TOTE: So you're at the park, Sea World, mall... and you want to leave the stroller, but not all the goods - Pop out the drinks, fold the bag in half (it velcros!) and VOILA! it's a tote with a shoulder strap.


Think this lil' gem can't get any better? Here's one final perk... Undo the zipper that goes all the way around and it unfolds into a full-sized, waterproof CHANGING PAD!!! WAHOO!


Doesn't matter if all your shtuff is still in the pockets, it makes for a little pillow at one end.

If you'd like to purchase one (Hint, hint), you can buy one from me directly, or online for $29.99. Right now, I've only got it posted on Amazon, so PLEASE check it out!
****For free shipping!! Use this code at checkout: ZBSPRING *******

2010 census

So, I have good news... I got a job! Unfortunately it isn't a permanent job, but it will be fore couple of months, and I am hoping it lasts through summer... I am an office clerk for the Denver office for the US Census Bureau. It is great because I do organization tasks and I work with about 4 managers so I have stayed pretty busy so far. I don't have to go knocking door to door which is great and I get full time hours, so I am not complaining. It feels really good to be working and I fell really good about what I do. I feel like I am good at being an office clerk and I know the managers are happy to have me there, which I also like. I am the youngest one in the office, or so I believe, and I may be the only one in there that doesn't remember the census from ten years ago... but that's okay with me.

Well, since everyone asked to see a picture of the bench I decided to post one. It isn't the greatest considering the space it is in, but it'll have to do. I want to make a real cushion for the top, but right now we only have the pillows I made for the couch so that part doesn't look great, but oh well... I really like having a bench and it is great to have for our shoes.

adventure in LA

This past weekend my parents flew me down to LA to go shopping! I needed to get fit for a dress for the wedding, so I came down and we went to Los Angeles. I lived in the area my whole life and it was my first time going downtown to the fashion district. It was bit raining and cold, but it was so much fun. I got some great fabric for some skirts and it makes me so happy!! I also love to barter- I enjoy seeing how much people will drop the price of a product, like going from $425 to $99, amazing.

One thing I have missed about being in Redondo Beach is being able to run on the strand. Thursday morning I woke up my brother and we went running pier to pier. It was so nice to run outside in the sun along the beach. Perfect. I only wish it didn't rain the other days so I could have done that each morning.

I wasn't able to go with Josh since he had class, so I missed him a lot, but let me tell you how amazing he is. I have been wanting a bench for next to the door to put shoes under and have another place to sit and such, so we talked a couple weeks about buying wood to make one, but when I got home it was made!! He made me a bench and it is perfect, just like I saw it in my head! I was so surprised. It was great. Thanks Josh!