Spring Break

Well unlike most people, our Spring Break was pretty low key. We relaxed, watched all 3 X-men (thanks to the Emery's), hung out with friends, I worked 4 days, which was a record!!! and we went back to Tri-Cities for a few days. It was our first time going back to Richland, for no specific event, and for more than just a night. It was so relaxing. I'm the type of person that if I am at home there is always something to do, so getting away forces me to relax. We sure got some royal treatment. Here are some pics before we set out for the SE Washington Desert.

Ali & I showing off our masterpieces...strawberry margarita's, virgin, of course, before watching Mike's favorite movie, 'The Producers'

Matt & Mike looking a bit feminine with their fruity drinks

Russ & Mike enjoying Wally World after our delicious meal at Tucano's

When we first arrived we had a delicious meal of cordon bleu (Mike's request) that Peggy made from scratch, which were scrumptious! The next day was running around day, taken it easy and visiting with G-pa Ace ( I really have the biggest crush on him). That night we had to watch Kansas play Michigan State. Steve & Tiki invited us over for dinner, Swedish meatballs are quite delicious. They were a first for me. And visited with our niece, Lola & nephew, Ollie.

Steve & Lola just cuddling on the couch. She is such a lover.

Lola is a great dog, she lets Steve hang her on her head and everything. She is a chicken though, scared of the flash on the camera. What a girl?

Ollie & Tiki hanging out playing fetch in the house he loves to run & play. Poor Kansas loosing in the background :( Mike's heart was broken.

On saturday after breakfast at McDonald's that Mike's family does every week without fail, we went to Bree & Trason's for crafting, visiting & lunch.

While Bree & I were making our Chic Sheep, our bi-annual tradition to craft together and catch up with each other, Mike watched baby Bryson. What a great father in the making!

Oh are we nerds or what!!! We had a great time!

The ultimate excursion was the Bowling Tournament. Apparently Peg & Alan were on a league back in the day and put both couples up for a challenge. The loser bought dessert. We had our secret weapons...Grandpa Ace, who will be 95 in June has 2 bowling balls from when he played on a league and has since retired to he gave them to us in these classic 70's bags. Mike's is even initialed. what a great heirlume (sp?). It was great when we hauled these into the ghetto Pasco Bowling Alley. We looked official. Here are some pics.


Mike showing off our secret weapons...did it make us win...unfortunately not!

Tiki displaying her ultimate FLAMER bowling shoes. Wow are those hot stuff!

The Davis Boys, except for Mark, he would have been too much competition

The wonderful Steve & Tiki

And the instigators of it all Alan & Peggy
By the way, The parents won and they still bought us dessert a 3 Margarita's, we had our favorite...deep fried ice cream. I think they know we are tight with cashola, but someday we will treat you. We had a great time!!!

Baby Dorothy, My Chef & New Hair Do

So It is not St. Patricks Day yet, so maybe our luck is waiting until then. As far as luck, I am referring to finding a job, yeah I know, I'm a broken record. Anyway, we really are being blessed and surviving with enough sub jobs. We are looking forward to going back to Tri-Cities at the end of Mike's spring break. Apparently his folks have a Bowling tournament planned and we are excited to be apart of it. Mike is studying hard and doing well in his classes. He has Bio-Physics, Organic chemistry, organic evolution, he is doing Nano-particle research with his Chemistry professor, Dr. Lee and is in the process of getting trained on the scanning electron microscope. He is also doing shadowing at Dr. Hathaway's office and taking his online Kaplin course for DAT prep, which he spends oodles of time on. He is working so hard and doing very well.
I am basically consumed with job searching and my calling. I still find time to do some crafting, and I am beginning to train for a triahlon with Mike, which we are very excited about.
Some more very exciting news, one of my bestest friends and former roommates, basically she is like another sister had another baby girl. Her name is Dorothy Ethney Simmonds...Can you believe it, I have a baby named after me. Here are some pics...





So, as I get called in for work at random times and with little time to prepare, Mike has been absolutely wonderful at lightening the load by making dinner for us. He is such a great little chef. I haven't taken pictures of all of his meals but these Empanada's were absolutely delicious. Empanada's are a mexican food, but Mike had several in Belize on his mission. All I can say is, keep it up!!!

The rest of the pics are of my new hair-do! I needed it done so bad.

March is the Month of Luck!

The past 2 weeks have been a bit overwhelming at times with all the activities and meetings, but also I have found that job searching is exhausting and emotionally draining, not to mention humbling. I have so much support both from family and friends and for that I am so grateful. It really means alot to me. Mike is a great support. I know something will happen this month, as it is the "lucky" month. Even this past week leading up to March, I had 3 sub days, which is the most I have had yet!!! Anyway, there were also alot of evening activities to rush off to once home. So I think it was tuesday night I took some ground beef out of the freezer and asked Mike if he would be able to do something with it, it didn't matter what. Well when I got home a bit later than planned this is what was waiting for me. It smelled delicious!

It was a homemade pizza from scratch. He even made the dough. Oh how I adore my Mikey. He usually goes above and beyond and it was so adorable of him. We are a good team. It was extremely filling and after our short 10min meal together we both headed off to our various responsibilities.

These other pics are from a Luau we attended of Wren, a little girl in our ward who was turning 1. It was great food, decorations and fun. It was fully equipped with 2 mini astro jump things, a clown presentation and did I already mention great food! We had alot of fun. Thanks Palmer's!


Mike & Carter being gangsters

Diana & Wren, the party girl!

The food area

Some of the Ladies Noelle, Bekah(Tristan), Michelle, Crystal & Katie

Some of the guys Mike, Russ(Josie)& Brady
Mike and Russ are both huge Jayhawks fans so they are like soulmates! Aww how sweet!