Melissa, Andy and the kids' Blog

So I did buy mostly new furniture, but I bought this little desk at DI for $15. It had a few scratches, so I decided to add a little color. Here is the new and improved desk. I used colors that match my bedspread. I didn't even have to go shopping for paper...I already had plenty! I also decorated some letters for my new niece. You can actually spell 4 words with these 3 letters. I like this name the best! Here is a new frame that I decorated for myself. I have yet to put a picture in it, but maybe I'll wait until after my visit to Oregon. Then I could get a family picture in here with the 2 new babies from this year. It is so fun to decoupage! I actually find it kind of relaxing as well. If you ever want to come craft with me, just let me know!

So the other day I got to go horseback riding on a date with Andy. It was really fun. His parents happen to own 3 horses, but only 1 is really trained for people to ride. Basky is a pretty tame 17 year old, but she still didn't want to be ridden. She kept stomping her foot when Andy was putting the saddle on her. Too bad you can't see the cowboy boots that I'm rocking! I did get Basky to run a couple times, but only when she thought we were going to the trailer to take off her saddle. My behind did get bruised a little from that though. Andy hasn't ridden for years, but luckily for me he was willing to do it again. All I had to do was ask. We just walked around the pasture behind/on the side of Andy's house. I really love horses, so this was a real treat for me. It was also a beautiful day for a ride.

Some of you have wanted to see pictures of my classroom. I do have a class blog that you can check out. http://aurichfirst.blogspot.com/ Just make sure not to leave any crazy remarks. My students and their parents will be looking at this blog as well.

Today I went and got myself a roommate! It is a lot smaller and takes up very little space. It is also a male! This little blue beta fish is in need of a name. The only thing that keeps going through my head is "1 fish, 2 fish, red fish, blue fish," and that is not a name. I would love any ideas on what I can name this cute, little guy.

Here are some pictures of my new home. Here is my new bedroom. I now own a queen size bed, but I still just sleep on one side of it. My Aunt Mary bought me the comforter set, and I love it! As you can tell I still haven't hung up any pictures. That will happen soon. Here is my walk in closet. I have plenty of space, but I need to organize it better. I finally got to use a lot of my kitchen stuff that has been sitting in a hope chest for the past 8 years or so. My mom has been putting stuff in that hope chest for years, so it is nice to get to put it to some use. Notice the bee theme. Melissa means honeybee! Here is my washer and dryer. Then you can see my bathroom. Aunt Tracy bought me my bathroom towels and curtain. I helped pick them out. Here is the view from one of my balconies. This is the one off the living room. I have another out of my bedroom, but you mainly just see a big tree. Here is my living room, dining room, and kitchen. I guess I didn't clean up f...

A little over 2 weeks ago I went for a quick visit to Washington. I wanted to see my family before I came back to Utah. Here are 4 of us siblings...Trisha, Melissa, Andrew and Brian. We went to Lake Meridian to play. Here are Kael and Kiera enjoying the water. Kiera would not sit still to take a picture. Bill, Mom, and Liam came to relax and spend family time as well. Jeremy is always great entertainment for the little ones. Shanda, Brian, and Liam enjoying the shade. I didn't ever think that I would have 2 car seats in the back of my car anytime soon. My nieces loved it though. Trisha and the girls with matching shorts. Kiera, Ava, and Kael loved racing each other on the back lawn. Shanda, Liam and I were content just to watch the kids run around. Ava and I actually went to Washington a day before Trisha and Jeremy. We had some fun playing in Andy's hammock. Ava helped Grandma with her garden.

This summer I stayed in Gresham, OR with my sister and her family. I nannied my niece, Ava, and went on plenty of vacations. I also spent plenty of time with some of the people from the little singles branch there. While I was there I was able to enjoy the beauty of Oregon. It was a great summer! I was sad to leave. Here are some pictures from the last month there, since I didn't have a camera at the beginning of the summer. Ava and I enjoyed playing in shaving cream. Ava and I went to the movies a few times. One of the theaters had free movies during the day. My second cousins, Kristen and Candice, also lived in Oregon. Kristen and I were actually in the same singles branch together. Here are the people that I spent most of my time with. I miss living with my sister, Trisha, and her family. We were going to go the the Oregon coast on this day, but the traffic was horrible. Instead we went to the Sandy River to keep cool. Jeremy thinking he is all cool. Ava kept throwing a...