What Happens in Primm stays in Primm

DTI Crew that came

My company had a summer party...in Primm. We went on a state line turnaround. We boarded a bus at 6 am. , drove to Primm Valley, the bus dropped us off for 8 hours, picked us up then drove us back home. On the way in we had raffles, games, bets, and all sorts of fun. Lars and I don't gamble so we went shopping, got massages, had a buffet, and played in the arcade. We did see some fun themed slot machines like this Star Wars one pictured here.

I did put a few bucks in the penny slots and won 13 bucks. On the way back we relaxed with a movie and chatted with my coworkers. It was fun and I would so do it again.

This is the last post I am officially caught up.

Mother's Day

We got to see both our Mom's for Mother's Day. It was one of the best Mother's Day to date.

We went to the Golden Corral with all my family and even met up with some of my cousins.

My cute nephew, Michael

My sister and I

My Mom and I

My cousin Teresa and I.

She served as mission in Japan and this is the first I have seen her since she has been home, which has been about a year. How did I survive that long without seeing such a pretty face

On Sunday we gave my Mom our gift and she squealed with joy she saw her cute card. I didn't get a picture of it, but it was priceless.

Then we went to Lars' Mom's and had a nice lunch with all his siblings. They all surprised his Mom and got her a new laptop. Her reaction was just priceless and awesome. I have it on video and I will post it once I get it from Lars' sister.

Delicious ice cream pie I made.

Tina and Angus

Mom with her computer

Lars and Tim hanging out with Angus

Seriously such a wonderful Mother's Day. We got to see all our families and hug our Mom's.

Grandma Anderson's Funeral

The first week of May we had an unexpected trip to Utah, Lars' Grandma passed away. It was sad, but a good thing too. She was 93 and lost her husband 5 years ago. Now they are reunited and I know families are forever so we will see them again. Here are a few pictures from the funeral that I really liked.

Grandma was known for her cookies so everyone made some for the viewing to share.

Lars and Sarah goofing off.

Its stereotypical for someone within a family to fight about something at funerals.

The caption I saw when I first looked a this picture was, "Stay away from my cookie."

Not to worry this was nothing serious, just over who made the best cookies. :)

I think Tina won for making the cookies closest to Grandma's.

Flowers the grandkids got for Grandma. They were the brightest and most beautiful.

All the flowers were blooming and happy.

Steve, Valane, Karla, and Beverly. Grandma's surviving kids.

Lars and his Uncle Steve. They look a lot like each other.

All of Lars's siblings and their families.

Thanks for all the love and support. It was a beautiful service.

Families are forever!

IOWA

In April we flew to Iowa for a few days...

to visit Lars' sister, Sarah, and her family, The Byrd's

They leave in a little town outside of Des Moines called Boone!

While there we played on the playground with all the kids. It was a cool wooden play ground with lots of hiding spots and crawl spaces.

Annkia enjoyed it.

We went on lots of walks around the beautiful country.

We celebrated Sarah's birthday.

Annika and I made her a 'Team Edward' cake. It was delicious and looked spectacular. It was my first time using fondant and I must say, I rocked it.

Sarah made Aebleskiver for breakfast. They are a danish pancake.

They are very delicious and we will soon have our own Aebleskiver pan. When you come and visit us we will make them for you.

We loved getting hugs from Annkia

We also saw a few spots where the movie Twister was filmed.

There were no twisters during our visit so we had to make our own.

Lars got to hang out with his sister

And the girls tried to pick every flower they saw at every stop.

Thanks Byrd Family for having us. It was a blast and we look forward to our next visit. :)

Go Me!

So I want to blog about our Iowa trip and our recent trip to Utah. However, we are having an issue with our hard drive...its dying. Therefore, I am using it as little as possible until we get everything transferred to a new hard drive. So those posts will have to wait because I like pictures with everything.

But in the mean time we are still alive and well. Work is fine, our health is fine, still trying to reach our goals (film, financial, and baby) which can be frustrating at times but we are praying for help and I know the Lord hears us so things will work out when they are supposed to.

Recently I set a goal to lose 15-20 pounds before the end of June. I mostly want to tone up and rid myself of the unwanted weight I have gained from stress and from...well honestly I am lazy and I like junk food. I was at an idle weight at the beginning of the year and still losing some. But I like food in a bad way and have let myself go a lot. I think at times I am an emotional eater and I may not be in the mood to eat donuts and stuff but I do because it is there. Like at work, there is always crap at work to eat and if I don't snack on something healthy before lunch, which is always when some of our heavy workload comes in, I get cranky and stressed so I end up eating something not good for me then eating my lunch later. SO I have had to be serious about this goal and have stopped eating most crappy food. It was on our drive home from Utah that I decided enough was enough and that "this time" I was serious. Replace some of the crap I eat with fruit and veggies and less bread. I still eat junk, but not as much. A few small bits of something sweet can satisfy the craving. Then that's it! I have never been one to go cold turkey on candy and turn 100% health nut. For me, there has to be a balance between the two. The trick is finding my own balance between the two that leaves me feeling great and getting the results I want but still enjoying what I already know I love and choose not to live without 100%. I like donuts and stuff and won't deprive myself of them, just eat them in moderation is all.

Then there is exercise. I enjoy exercising because it clears my head and is fun, but not when I make it into a chore. I work out on Tuesdays with a friend in the ward then usually work out on my own the rest of the week. When I am on my own I mostly end up playing Gauntlet and work up my character a few levels instead of myself. So I added Wednesday as a work out day with my buddy, I walk during my lunch hour, try to work out in the evenings if my schedule permits on Monday and Thursdays, do something active on Saturday like Yoga or running, and go on a walk on Sundays with Lars.

I will reach my goal and then maintain it. As long as I feel good and it works for me. I think the time I was the most fit was when I was unemployed. I exercised 2-3 times a day and ate small meals. The I got a job and had to balance everything else in life. We all can't have personal trainers or gym passes. So just do what works for you and what will help you feel good and happy. I don't have this goal to be Hollywood skinny, just to feel good and tone up a bit.

I am not perfect and haven't been 100% at eating or exercising, but I have been better than before and after only a week I have seen some good results, which is motivating for me to keep at it.

SO GO ME!

P.S. I rock at speed bag!

Grandmother Anderson-Loving Woman and Amazing Cookie Maker

Lars' grandmother passed away on Sunday. She always made the best cookies and was so funny and kins. We are in Utah for the week. I love being with the family, but sad for the occasion. But at least we will get to see both of our Mom's for mother's day. I am so grateful for the gospel and the knowledge that families are forever. Grandma has been reunited with her eternal companion, her daughter, and grandson. I will see them again.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/deseretnews/obituary.aspx?n=gladys-anderson&pid=142477223

GLADYS ANDERSON

Gladys Anderson 1916 ~ 2010 BOUNTIFUL- Gladys Laurene Winter Anderson (93) passed away early Sunday morning, May 2nd in Salt Lake City, Utah. Gladys was born to Joseph Wesson and Elsie Littlefair Winter on September 6th, 1916 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She was the fifth of six children, Joseph Leland, Earl Wesson, Elsie Viola (died at age 1 1/2 yrs.), Boyd Irvin, and Shirley Dean. All have preceded her in death. At age 23 she met Elliot Francis Anderson. They were married in the Salt Lake City, LDS Temple on April 16th, 1941. Elliot passed away in May 2004. They were blessed with five children: Karla Lorene, Beverly, Evelyn (who passed away from cancer February 12, 2007), Valane and Steven Elliot. Gladys served, taught, and nurtured her family and others in the neighborhood and church; including dishing out a supply of chocolate chip cookies to anyone who came over. Her greatest legacy is her tender innocence that she was able to keep her entire life. Her example of goodness will serve her family well for generations. Gladys is survived by many, many grand and great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 7th at 1:00 p.m. at the LDS chapel located at 2150 South 650 East, Bountiful, Utah. Friends may call Thursday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at the Russon Brothers Mortuary, located at 295 N. Main Street, Bountiful, and Friday, at the church from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com. Special thanks are given to all the care-givers at Christus St. Joseph's Villa who have been so kind to mom and to us and to Pres. Jones and ALL who serve in the LDS Branch at the Villa. It is never OK when a mother passes beyond this life because no one loves her children like a Mom. We will miss having her love so near to us.

Published in Deseret News on May 4, 2010