The Great South American Adventure! (Part 1)

We had the best time visiting Jonathan and Jordan's mission!!

May 18th-20th -- 2013

If I never have to get on an airplane again, I won't be sad!! We started off with a 2 1/2 hr ride to Fort Worth Dallas, TX. Then after a 3 hour layover- we got on our plane to Bueno Aires. It was a 10 hour flight-- Never had been on a plane that long before... and it was terrible!! I told Jon if we go back-- we will save the money to go 1st class!

We got to Bueno Aires Sunday morning and headed to our hotel. It was called "Torre Libertad II"-- It was a nice 3 bed 2 1/2 bath condo with a sitting area and kitchen. It also had 2 little balconies, we were on the 10th floor so we had a great view of the city. It was my favorite place we stayed out of the 5 different places we stayed in. We would be there 2 nights. 

The first day we went grocery shopping at a "Carre Four" which is like their Wal-Mart. Jordan got some things for us to try, and got some stuff to make us dinner that night. Before the trip I was really worried about not liking any of the food, but I loved almost everything!! The best was the Dulce de Leche-- I'll never be able to enjoy Carmel again... It will always suck in comparison to Dulce de Leche!! Jordan made "Noquis" they looked like small sea shell pastas. They make their pasta from potatoes so the texture was very different from ours, but still good! We also stopped and got some fresh fruit-- the mango literally tasted like candy!

The next day we set off to see Argentina! We walked around and looked at a Catholic Cathedral. Then went to visit the Familia Diaz from Jordan's mission. We were afraid we weren't going to be able to find them because things had changed so much, but we did. They were the neatest family ever!! They absolutely loved Jordan, and they had the sweetest things to say about him. He brought each of them a BYU T-Shirt and one massive jar of Peanut Butter to share!! I had so much fun playing with their little kids- and they loved the toys we brought them. Jordan went to the butcher shop and bought meat- and they cooked it Argentina style, and it was tasty!! It ended up being a late night, but it was so worth being able to meet such a gracious and humble family. The people we met were by far my favorite part of the trip.

Tune in for Part 2 and more pictures next post!!!

Candy Ball

FHE is much more exciting when we join the Curtis & Sleeman Families. Jordan & Brian are home for the summer... so Curtis Country is one happening place these days.

I really wanted to try out a game I had found on pinterest... So we tried it out for our FHE Activity.

Matt conducted, Beckett led us in "Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam" using his lightsaber as his leading stick, and Jordan gave us a great lesson on the stripling warriors emphasizing their mothers for the upcoming holiday.

Then came our activity... A giant saran wrapped ball with periodically placed treats through out. Adults had to wear oven mits to make the task more difficult. Whatever treats came out of the ball when it was your turn were yours to keep. The person ahead of you frantically rolled dice till they got a double and it was their turn.

The boys really had a great time... and not just the little ones. Sawyer didn't know what to think, but she loved sharing my granola bar:)

Before 

During

After

Yum! We love Nutella:)

Accusing me of cheating... ME? Not me! 

Thinks she is so big!

Always my best friend if I have food...

 

big Big BIG NEWS:)

We aren't announcing a pregnancy or anything...

but it's the next best thing (I think anyway...)  

In just a couple short months we will be proud owners of this cute little house located in Brigham City!!

The inside needs some TLC... but we are up for the challenge:) I am excited to pick out new paint and carpet... and of course DECOR!

Estimated closing date is around June 7th, because the rural housing loan is taking @ least 20 business days, but this is perfect for us because we will be back from our trip to South America. 

We can't wait to make this house our HOME:)

Someone Special

I can't believe it has been over a month ago now that we lost someone really special in our lives....

My Grandpa Ray was an amazing person- I know this even more so now. 

He was such a hard worker, and the biggest tease!! 

He made everyone around him feel special. 

I am so grateful that I know where he is and what he is up to, and most importantly I will see him again. 

Even though it was hard I am happy I was able to share my memories of Grandpa at his funeral, it's something I will never forget. 

It is examples like his that have made me into the person I am today.
Family IS everything!!!

Think about you almost everyday... I love you Grandpa Ray:) 

Tis the Season

We had a great holiday spending lots of time with family.

It was our pleasure to welcome Stephanie into our home to stay for Christmas. It was nice to have a third body around the house, even though she got sick:(

We had an eventful Hess Christmas Party- ugly sweaters and all!

The Curtis Family enjoyed the last advent ALL together- I am going to miss German cakes and candies till next year!

Christmas Day we made it around to all three families- I got Jon a Love Sac, and he got me some sentimental charms for my bracelet. I found the cutest personalized color guard pillowcase for Taryn. Jon's parents got us all tickets to see Les Miserables for that night. It was so good!! 

New Year's Eve we played games at Curtis Country and welcomed in the New Year with a Kiss, a Toast, and Sparklers.... In that order!!

Cheers to the New Year!!!!

Super Spoiled!!!!

Jonathan really spoiled me this birthday...

I had the day off work so my Mom and I spent the night in Heber with my Grandma and Grandpa. My mom got me the cutest coat... So cute- my Grandma had to have one just like it:) Sure glad I have a nice dress coat now. I've been freezing at work!!!

My little cousin Raynee Lucia Hess was born Monday Dec 10th. She couldn't have come a better day because we got to go meet her on my birthday. It was the best present I could have asked for.
Just look at this sweet baby girl!!!!

Jon got me the rest of the weekend-- and boy did we have a good time.
He took me to Zupas and I had my favorite soup!
He gave me another charm for my bracelet, and it happend to be a hockey player, but I couldn't figure out why I would get a hockey player for a charm... turns out we had front row tickets to the Grizzlies Hockey Game. Then we stayed the night at the Marriott in City Creek on the 15th floor, with a great view of the temple.

BUT.. Thats not all!

He had tickets to a play at the Off Broadway Theatre. It was called "Off White Christmas" a spoof of the "White Christmas" It was hilarious!! Jon sure embarrassed me by volunteering me on stage twice!
We wrapped up the night with dinner at Tepanyaki, and headed home.


It was such a nice weekend away, and I feel so lucky!!!

One Year Older, and Wiser too?

It was time again to celebrate Jonathan's Birthday:) 

Since it was on a Thursday there wasn't a ton we could do, but I saw the Box Elder High School was putting on a dinner musical and thought that would be fun. It was a spoof of Harry Potter called "Sherry Potter." She and her friends "Hermin" and "Ronda" had to save Diagon Alley from the evil "VoldeMART" haha... It was so fun and very entertaining!!

Then I took him to his parents for cake, ice cream, and presents. Poor kid had to wait till 10pm before he got to open his gifts. I got him a game we played with Cam & Heather that he really liked. I also embarrassed him a little by decorating the front door, so everybody knew it was his birthday:)

Some other fun things....

We got to see this Sweet Boy for Thanksgiving. He sure has grown!!

Our Tree went Up!
Poor thing is squished in our little apartment.
Cannot wait to get into a house:)

Heather came over and we had a little craft night.
My sister Taryn was there too.
We were covered in green glitter by the time we were finished.
But I think the final product was very worth it.