The countdown.

Well, I am so excited because I only have 3 more days to work before vacation. I took Thursday off for Robert's birthday and then on Friday we are leaving for our Thanksgiving vacation. We are going to have so much fun! We are spending a few days in Utah with friends and family then flying out of Salt Lake City to JFK airport. My sister, Kira is picking us up there and we are going to spend the day in New York City site seeing. My other sister Amy is coming from Texas the day before Thanksgiving too! We are both so happy to be escaping from what has become the routine of our lives for the last 2 months or so. We will hopefully have lots to post on our blog during/after our trip.

Albertsons is wonderful!

So, today Robert and I went to Albertsons to get some of their amazing deals. Like 5 lbs of flour for $1.25 and cake mixes for $.50 and many other amazing sales. While I was there I remembered that I had not yet checked at there for jars. Sure enough, they had plenty of jars and I bought 3 boxes of them. I am hoping that is will be enough to finish the box and a half of apples that I still have. This was an answer to my prayers because I did not want these apples to go bad. Thank you Albertsons for restocking your shelves in the middle of canning season.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

So, last night it began to snow and then continued to snow through out the night. I work up this morning and there was a wonderful white blanket across everything. Plus, Robert and I went shopping the other day to get some items for our car and there was Christmas music playing in most of the stores. I am so excited! Robert and I are hoping to go home to my parents house for Christmas and see all the family that is coming home, but we will see. I think I am going to go watch Polar Express now.

Does anyone in Rexburg have empty canning jars that I can buy from them or know where I can get them. I have canned about 15 jars of applesauce and have only used about 1/4 of the apples I have. ALL of the stores including DI are out of jars. Please help! Or, if anyone is going to IF and could pick me up some I will give you cash for doing so. OR, if anyone wants some apples to can I will give them to you. The apples are a little mushy and so not really good to eat plain.

Week of Halloween festivities.

Well, this week was not to exciting, but we at least enjoyed and felt the spirit of Halloween. On Monday evening we had our friends Molly and Kevin over to carve pumpkins and watch It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. We had fun. Then on Thursday my work had their Halloween celebration and I dressed up as a Disney Land tourist. This was nothing special, but it made it feel like I was part Halloween. Then on Friday we did not do much. I have to work from 9 am till 9 pm. When I got home from work we didn't have enough time to dress up or anything and this was a little depressing. However, we were able to make it over to some friends house for about 30 minutes of a party. Then we came home and had some other friends over, ate pizza and told a few scary stories.

Robert's Lois' Molly's Kevin's in that order.

This is my pumpkin lit up. The picture of Robert's did not turn out well enought to post. His was double sided and looked dang cool! A close up of his is below. The other side of it he did not carve, but just thinned the walls of it and it looked like Scarecrow from Batman Begins.

Hopefully this will be my last Halloween where I will have to work all day and our last Halloween with such limited resources. This is Robert's favorite holiday and we never get to do anything big or special. It was sad to see his disappointment of not dressing up and enjoying the day more. I am pretty sure that he just did homework ALL day! Poor guy, we will make up for it next time.

Visiting the Hammonds in Boise

Robert and I took our friend Camille with us to Boise this last weekend. It was relaxing and fun. I got to meet my new niece Sarah and see my sister and her family and my mom. We didn't do much but sit around and enjoy family company, but it was nice. Robert went out with Richard and their boys shooting and had fun. They first went to DI and found cheap items to shoot at. I think the best part about going was having mom cooking my meals for a weekend! Thanks mom! I had lost about 5 pounds because of my liquid diet from getting my wisdom teeth out and I have already gained 3 of those back. I don't mind, it was well worth it! It was a super short trip but while we were there we celebrated all of our birthdays (Sarah, Cheri, Rachel, Harmon and my own). By the way happy birthday Cheri!

Harmon Donald Aaron Evans the best birthday present!

Well, just like I wanted my sister-in-law Kelsey had her giant on my birthday. Baby is not the right word to explain Harmon and so I took Aaron, my brothers description of Harmon which is giant.
All is well and Kelsey was amazing from what I have heard. She had this giant (10 lbs 12oz and 23 inches) all natural with no pain killers and I think about 30 hours of labor. Congratulations Aaron and Kelsey! Aaron is one of the proudest fathers I know and he is not only proud of the giant, but also very proud of his wonderful wife.

The name Harmon Donald Aaron comes from my grandfather, father and the giants father (my brother) in that order. My parents started this tradition in naming Aaron and I love it too. So, our first boy I would like to name General Edward Robert to keep that tradition. I think it is a great way to honor our ancestors and has a ton of meaning. But I guess we will see when we have our kids.

If anyone cares to look.

Robert and I went on vacation in the summer of 2007 on a late honeymoon. It was amazing! We stated a blog entry in Jan of 2008 and then never finished it or posted it. So, today I wrote the conclusion and what little more detail that I remember and then posted it. So, if you want to she that vacation it is under Jan 2008. It is now posted mostly just for our records and enjoyment, but thought I might let you all know to. Have a great day!

Sarah Lynn Hammond

My new niece Sarah Lynn Hammond arrived on October 13, 2008. Robert and I are going to see her this weekend. This is Grandma (my mom) and Sarah's sister Rachel in the picture with her. Aren't they all so cute!

Fall Photo Session

Hey everyone get a sneak preview of our fall family pictures! Click here to take a glance

www.caraleephotography.blogspot.com

Dang we're cute!

An all around good day

So today was just a really good day for Lois and I. We seemed so busy, but it wasn't stressful.

The day started off great when I got home from work because I didn't have to rush straight to my 8am class. It was cancelled due to Communications Day on campus. On this day a number of successful people in the communications realm come to BYU-I and share there success stories, give tips, and even seek interns and such. So I didn't have to go to class and I was caught up on all my homework for the day.

After getting some much needed extra sleep Lois babysat for a couple so they could go to the temple together. I went to the temple also. Lois had a fun time with the 2-year old boy.

I returned after about an hour and a half and had a great lunch that Lois made while I was gone. We had BBQ'd Elk ribs and Macaroni and Cheese. It was sooo good!

After, lunch I decided to go listen to one of the speakers at Comm. Day. His name is Art Rascon. He is an LDS, Emmy award winning Reporter and Anchor who joined KTRK-TV's 13 Eyewitness News. Anyway, he gave a great talk about his job and how the gospel applied and how he was able to hold true to his faith in perilous times. So it was nice to here inspiring words from a church member in the "real" world.

After that there was a reception and I scored some free food, well dessert and went to my afternoon class, which was only 45 minutes long instead of 90! Lois was able to get some extra money too by going to work while I was at school.

After class we went home, got changed, and took our friend Misty with us to Idaho Falls, where we had scheduled a photo shoot for Lois and I. We had a good hour for, hopefully, some great pictures.

After that we went to dinner at a really good all you can eat Chinese buffet! You can't have a bad day when you go to a good buffet! Not possible!

To top off the day, we went to a haunted house that is apparently ranked 25th in the nation. It is called Dr. Slaughter's House of Horror or something. It was $8 but well worth it. I never got scared to death, but our friend Misty was the best part of the show. There was four of us in our group. Misty's husband lead the group because it was his first time in in any type of spook alley or what have you. Misty was next because she could not handle being in front or the back. Lois was behind her and I was on the end. (Perfect place for the black guy to get picked off, right.)
Anyway, it was really fun and it took us about 30 minutes to go through and that was being rushed. This house of horror had many familiar faces to come out and scare. There was Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhies, Michael Myers, the Predator, Children of the Corn, and many other horror movie villains. That was the best part of this house because there were so many themes from different movies. This place rocked! Well, I am going to stop blabbering because I hate long blogs and this one seems long enough. Till next time. Have a Happy Halloween!

Fall/Halloween pictures of the This and That.

We took some Halloween pictures of This and That.

Execution

So, as some of you may know my cell phone screen went mostly white in late July when we were up in Montana. Everything would work fine on my cell phone, except I could not see the screen. So, if you called and I heard it ring I could answer it and everything was fine, however if I did not answer it I had no way of telling who called unless you left a voice mail, and even then I had to guess when I had a voice mail. So, about once a day, if I remembered, I would call my voice mail just to see if I had missed a call.

I went in to see if they would fix my phone or get me a new one and of course they told me that it was not under warranty that I would have to buy a new phone. Well, I only had about 2 months until I could get a new one for free. So, wanting to stick it to Verizon I kept my phone without a screen for 2 months and then got a new one. So, I got my new phone sometime in mid September. I lost my phone book on there because the screen was out and of course there was no way to transfer it. (So, if I haven't called you in a long time this could be one reason why.) I tell you this story to get to the point of this entry...

About a week or two ago our microwave just out right broke! When it was plugged none of the buttons would work. Robert and I soon found out the convenience of a microwave and how wonderful they are. Now anytime that we need a quick meal or want to reheat something it is into the pot or pan and it takes quite a bit longer and what I hate even more is there are MORE dishes to wash and not ones that you can just put in the dishwasher. We have to wash them by hand. How annoying it was that this broke. I promise the point of this entry is coming....

Robert being as smart as he is had a great idea as to what to do with my phone. I was just going to trash it when I got my new one but he suggested that its life should end another way. The same thought came to him when the microwave went out. (Honestly here is the point of the today's entry)

LET'S TAKE THEM OUT AND SHOOT THEM!!
Great idea! So, on Wednesday we went out by Beaver Dick Park and shot them.

Here is the aftermath.

These are pictures of the inside the of demonished microwave.

Robert seemed to think that was a good date! I enjoyed it too!

Exciting

Well, Robert and I are looking into getting some nice fall pictures done. Hopefully next week and then it will take a little while to get the pictures I am sure. We have never really had "family" pictures and I have always wanted them done in fall outside.
Not so exciting. I am going to be getting my wisdom teeth out on the 18th.
Really that is all the news that I have to share. No new babies yet in the family, although Kelsey wants her little guy to come out today. I am still praying for that. Cheri (my sister) will be having her 5th (a girl) on the 13th. Can't wait to post pictures of these amazing spirits coming into the world.
Tell I have more to say enjoy the wonderful fall weather and colors!

October

Well October is here and we are loving it.  Robert is working hard at school and I am hardly working.  Okay I work but it does not seem like I do much.  This month there are some great things happening.  I will be getting a new niece and nephew.  Then I will get to go and see my new niece on my birthday.  While I am there I get to see my mom and sister with her family.  Also, Robert's favorite holiday is Halloween and so hopefully we will be doing some fun activities for that. 

The weather has turned to fall weather and the trees are beginning to change colors.  I love the fall!  I am wanting to get some fall family photos of Robert and I, but I am not sure if that will all work out.  

Another exciting thing in October is general conference.  Conference was great this weekend. This is something that we look forward to twice a year.  We got to hear the words of modern day prophets and apostles.  My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was strengthened.  It was amazing to hear all of the different themes and messages given through talks.  I know that my Heavenly Father loves me and I know that Jesus Christ loves me.  I know that God speaks to us today through his chosen prophets.  I am so grateful for conference and the knowledge that I have gained. 

A day in the life of the Draper cats.

For those of you wondering what This and That do all day here it is.
This and That usually get up with Robert at about 4:30 a.m. and eat and whatever else they do (I am still asleep at that time). Then, after Robert has left for work they run (literally run) around the house making lots of noise. They play for probably about an hour or more and then come back to bed with me and somehow crowd me in our queen size bed. When we all get up at about 10:00 a.m. or so and they usually go outside for a few hours. Then they come inside in early afternoon and take a long nap! They are cats you know. They go back outside in the evening until dusk. Then for the evening they lay around on our laps and That usually meows a lot to get back outside, but we won't let her. Then off to bed when we go.
Oh, to be a cat! (It actually sounds a lot like my days.)

Everyday life with the Drapers.

Well, Robert is back in school and I am working every weekday. If you are curious as to what we do on a daily basis think no more.
Robert goes to work every week day morning at about 5:15 a.m. Then depending on the day either comes back to bed and sleeps a little more or goes straight to class. Then he does homework throughout the day and spends time with me and plays with This and That. I am lazy and get up every morning between 9 and 10. Then I eat and lay around the house until I have to go to work at 3:00 p.m. (Sometimes of course I have errands to run and things to do during the day, but we are talking typical days here.) I get off at 8:00 p.m. and then Robert and I watch Scrubs on TV while I make dinner and we eat. Then we do whatever we need to do to finish the day, Robert finishes up homework if needed and I do house work or play on the computer. Then off to bed usually between 10 and 11. So, yep, you are right you have just wasted a few minutes of your life, but hey at least you can put your mind at ease now.
Our lives are not so mysterious now.

Old Faithful 09.01.08

For Labor day this year Robert and I decided that we better go and see Yellowstone Park. We have lived here about 5 years and never taken the time to go. More specifically we went to see Old Faithful. I could not handle living so close (1 1/2 hours) from it and never seeing it. We have a wonderful friend, Camille, whom I work with that we drug along. It was great fun! We left at about 10 o'clock in the morning and went and picked up a picnic lunch at the store and headed to the park. It was a very chilly day and when we were leaving the park we saw rain, hail and snow.

We saw several hot springs and a few geysers.

The colors on these are amazing.

Old Faithful being faithful and amazing.

Don't we look great! Camille Bennett and Lois



We had a pretty good video, but I can't get it loaded right. Old Faithful shot for about 5 minutes which is one of the longest times that it does. The park ranger said that on average it is anywhere between 3 to 5 minutes. So, we got a pretty good show!


The wildlife we saw. Not much just a few bison and some cow elk and their calves.

We had a discussion with Camille about how amazing God is to be able to create so much diversity and beauty on this planet! We loved it! Robert and I felt an immediate ease when looking at all the trees and green. We knew we weren't in southeast Idaho anymore.

Camille loving the smell of rotten eggs. (Okay the smell was not so bad)
Yep, that is Old Faithful behind us. We had to wait about 30 minutes so, we just hung around.


A very enjoyable day and we are glad that we went. Maybe now when April comes and Robert graduates we will be able to get out of Rexburg.

Olympics 8.8.08

Robert and I have been waiting all summer for this day. 8.8.08
Today the Olympics start and that will most likely occupy most of our time for the next month.

The rest of our trip.

The rest of the trip was great!
We just hung out for the weekend and went to church on Sunday.
Then Monday Robert and I ventured across the creek. The creek at my parents house was so low that at it's deepest spot that we crossed it didn't even come up past my knees. When we got the other side we went into the thick forest and came out on the other side. It was not far, but the trees were dense. On the other side of these trees there was rocky ravines that we could tell the creek use to be there. Later that day we went to Howard Lake. It was wonderful on such a hot day! We have a chicken dinner up there. My dad, Kira and I all swam across the lake like we normally do.
Tuesday was a long trip home. We enjoyed a causal lunch with family and I was so happy to see my niece, Alyxana. She is beautiful! Thanks every!


Back to work we went. Robert has picked up more work for a while. We both miss the time that we had to spend together while on vacation.

The Dream Life

Well, Robert and I took off for Libby, MT on Monday. We had a week off of work to go celebrate my graduation. Monday I went shopping in Kalispell with my sisters Kira and Michelle and friend Leslie and got a few new clothes and some accessories for our Wii while Robert went through to Libby so This and That would not over heat in the car. I got us a second controller and a few games that we could play while here.

Tuesday we did nothing all day and then that evening we went to the movies and saw "The Dark Knight!" (Heath Ledger upheld the reputation that was created for him!)

Wednesday we did nothing again. For breakfast we went to the Amish store and got some of the most amazing cinnamon rolls! Then that night we had a small graduation party for me. We had a BBQ and it was great!

Thursday we took the day to hike to Leigh Lake. This is a glacier fed lake in a remote area. It is quite the hike, but well worth it every time! There are parts on this hike where we had to climb rocks and extremely steep switch backs; however we took our sweet time to enjoy the hike (okay really we are just in the worst physical shape we ever have been and that gave us a great excuse). We have tons of great pictures as shown here.

There were so many waterfalls that we could see from the trail and also at the top melting from glaciers into the lake. This one is part of Leigh Creek which is the creek that Leigh Lake drains into.

This is a waterfall going into the lake.



This is the backside of the lake and a gorgeous view of what most of the scenery looks like. You can tell why we love it!

In the past in going to Leigh Lake we liked to take a swim in the lake at the top to cool off and enjoy the solitude of the area. This time however this lake was not more than 32 degrees because there was still a glacier on one side of it. While we were up there we heard what sounded like thunder and we all turned to look at the other end of the lake. The glacier was cracking and breaking into the water. Robert and Michelle then spent the next several minutes yelling and trying to get the glacier to collapse again.

Each of us did eventually jump in the water, but it was only very briefly.

My dad made a wonderful BBQ dinner for us that night! Steak and potatoes with corn! I love my dad!

Friday, we went to lake Koocanusa and swam in warmer water. We were only able to be there for about 1 hour. But again well worth it! This is Robert's favorite place to go swimming and there was not better day because it was in the high 90's this day.

Later Friday night Kira threw a party and we stuck around for that. We had great food and enjoyed sitting around and chatting. When everyone had left that night we set of fireworks. There were some great ones and some that we will not buy again next year.

The title of this post is ideal because we are living a life that we could only dream of. We don't have work or school; we don't have any bills to pay here; we are in MT with no time schedule; and we are together!

(more to come at the end of the vacation)