Time to Play!

As it is the day after Christmas...it is time to play with all of our awesome gifts! I had a great time last night shredding paper with my new paper shredder with my new slippers on! Thanks honey for giving me all the gifts I asked for on the Post-it note!

But, tonight Brandon started to see what the new Pentax Digital Camera I bough him would do. How awesome are these pictures...plus you can see the new lights in my kitchen and our little tree. I really have enjoyed our little tree. Any ways, I hope everyone is enjoying the gifts they received.

Panoramic View of the New Kitchen Lights! I can see!!!!



Panoramic View of the living room



Our little tree and Santa! Thanks mom for the decorations!

A Blessed Christmas Tide

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 (King James Version)

What a blessed Christmas it has been. After being sick Thursday, Friday and finally feeling better on Saturday, I was so glad that I started all my Christmas preparations early. With the way that Christmas fell this year I had three solid days of church. Sunday was church in the morning, for the 4th Sunday in Advent service. The final day of preparation for the coming of our Lord and Savior. After church I came home to do all my house chores and sitting in my living room were a ton of boxes. I thought Bran had unloaded his work truck to keep some things safe, but NO...he bought me new light for my kitchen and the back yard!!! Oh what an awesome Christmas present and so unexpected!!! SO we hung lights and then went over to Mom and Dad's for a little BBQ.

Monday was Christmas Eve. Brandon spent the morning at my Dad's shop helping with with some electrical issues, oh and he took the dog, so I decided to clean my nasty house! After installing the lights in the kitchen it really needed to be cleaned and moped! so I cleaned and cleaned and cleaned. It felt so great to get my house in order after being so sick! Brandon and I both got ready and headed back to my parents house for Christmas Eve dinner...thank you Papa Murphy's! Neither my mom nor myself felt like cook and we had such a big dinner planned for Christmas Day. But after dinner the whole family went to church. Both mom and I sing in the choir, so it was just wonderful to have Dad and Bran there as well. It was a beautiful candlelight service and it helped to remind me once again the true meaning of the season. After service, our The Roche Family came over for a little pie and fun! And then off to bed so that Santa could come!

Christmas Day....well it is still Christmas Day. It has just been the most wonderful first Christmas EVER for Brandon and I! I was up early and back to church to sing in the choir. It was wonderful to have our old Pastor take part in conduction the service this morning. I ADORE our new Pastor, but there is nothing like the old and the familiar! After church I came home and my wonderful husband had cleaned the house after the whirlwind of two little ones over here the night before! We then packed up Ralf and headed to Mom and Dad's to see what Santa had brought us! We had a wonderful day. SO many blessing all in one day. We made Monkey Bread, ate, opened gifts, cooked ate and opened gifts between my brother and Monica and the family. They gave us a Home Depot card...so actually they gave Brandon a Home Depot card so that he can finish moving the water heater so my washing machine can leave the kitchen and move to the garage!! Then to cleaning up the mess of the day and then to load the car and come home and put away all the great stuff we got. I can't even begin to explain how spoiled we are, but thanks to my mom and dad...you spoil us to no end!

So as my day draws to a close, my husband and puppy are sound asleep, I bid you all a Merry, Merry Christmas. May the Birth of Christ light your coming year.

Thankfulness

I am so thankful for so many things in my life, but I am really thankful for my husband. I have been rather sick for the last two days. I have been fighting a sinus infection since I got back from Las Vegas in November, but decided that I need some meds so I went to see my Dr. yesterday.

So I was down for the count yesterday afternoon and then had a fever last night. Brandon made breakfast for dinner cause it sounded really good and the he did all the dishes and put clean sheets on the bed for me! I adore my husband. This morning I was still not doing too go, but I was a tad bit better...but the coffee didn't sit well on my stomach! I went running to the kitchen sink to puke so he wouldn't have to clean up after me. I made it and then all the warning signs on the antibiotics started to kick in. I guess there really is a reason for all those little yellow stickers! I was dizzy and they made me sleepy so lets see it is 5:52 and I am still on the couch and still in my pj's. It is nice when there is someone to take care of you!

But I think the best part of the day has been watching my husband put all new light switches in our house!!! My grandparents build this house in 1949 and well lets just say it needs a little updating! Brandon found melted wires and a wire that looked like it could just catch on fire. Thank goodness I have a handy man that has fixed all of the issue in one room and gave me lighted switches in the hallway!

To all of you as the Holidays approach; Merry Christmas and may the birth of Jesus Christ be the center of you celebration this year!

Best Friends Birthdays and broken water pipes, NO!

Today is by Best Friends Birthday. Actually I consider her my sister more the a BFF!!! But, A and I got to start celebrating her birthday last night. He husband had dibs on her actual birthday night...how dare he :-)! Anyways, we went to one of our favorite Mexican food places for dinner and I think we were so full that we rolled out of there and then went to Target for a little shopping which turned out to be very productive! Then back to A's so she could open her birthday present from me! I figured she needed a little pampering so I got her a new set of makeup brushes, a bottle of Grace perfume and a gift card to go and have fun at Sephora! What a great night we had....until I called home to let my husband now that I was on the freeway home.

When I went to dial the number I saw that I had missed a few calls from him..oops! I always pick up for him and I guess I just didn't hear the phone ring! So I called in a panic and well ..........the main water line that is under our house and feeding our entire home with water BROKE!!!! I love our home, but something is always broken around here since my grandparents build the house in 1949 and never really did any upgrades. So I stopped by my parents house to use the restroom on the way home, so I could get through the night and now I am heading back to my parents to shower and get ready for my day. My husband is under the house fixing everything and I hope to have water back this afternoon. But, I must admit...it is so sexy to have my husband fixing all of these things!

So to broken water pipes...oh well, BUT...Happy Birthday to my Sis! God Bless!!

The Big Night

The perfect end to a perfect weekend...my husband being taken hostage by a 5 year old...God bless Maggie! I was the Co-Director of the Children's Christmas Service at church with my girlfriend Tammy. What a blessing she is and the Service was wonderful and the children were so well behaved! But after the program is the world renowned Lutheran Church of Our Savior Christmas Potluck! I would say there were about 200 for the potluck and Maggie had to sit by "her Brandon"...oh wait but aren't I married to him??? Anyway....Maggie always asked to see Brandon's muscles, but to no real avail! But non the less...I have competition! God Bless the little Children!

Married Life...

I just have to say I totally understand why people call this the honeymoon stage. Life just seems great. I was wondering for the first few months of our marriage, why did I do this. My husband is always gone and I don't even get to move into our house until he gots back, but then he came home and we are in wedded bliss. I totally understand why A loves to be married and with her husband.

Yesterday was on of those perfect days. I was up early and was cleaning house, putting dinner in the Crock Pot and then was off for my day of work. It was a great day. I came home to the most loveable Ralf at about 4:45 and then had a great chat with A, what would I do without her! I made cornbread to go with my Crock Pot chili...one of the cheapest and most yummy dinners ever....and then my husband arrived home for work. We had a great evening of talking and giggling and playing with the dog. Yesterday was a day where I felt like God had answered all my prayers and gave me a perfect day. He even gave me a great night sleep without any dreams of pregnancy!

My prayer today, another wonderful blessed day!

Dreams...what do they mean

I had a weird dream last night....a dream that has had me asking questions to myself all day and then I got asked the question 3 times today...."Are you having children soon?" I am not pregnant and we aren't trying as I am finally getting to enjoy time with my husband after the longest business trip EVER, but why am I dreaming about it and why did I get asked the question 3 times today????

I have made it back online!

Sorry everyone that I have been horrible with updates, but life has been crazy and I have been taking advantage of the fact my husband if finally home for good. I love being a newlywed!!

I came down with a horrible cold which turned into a sinus infection about a week and a half before Thanksgiving and ended up at the local clinic on a Sunday because I just couldn't take it any more....that was a 4 hour long trip! But after a few days in bed and lots of great meds I was feeling pretty good by Thanksgiving. Brandon arrived home for good on the Sunday before Thanksgiving...the dreaded 4 hour day for me at the Dr. He was so wonderful. He came to my parents where I was staying, picked up the dog and told me to stay there so I could sleep in peace. I did sleep in peace that night....18 hours of sleep! The week of Thanksgiving flew by and we enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal at Pasadera with my parents, brother and his girlfriend. Brandon and I finally were able to eat our wedding day dinner! It was so yummy! The next day we decided that the house needed cleaning so 8 hours later...clean house and windows and bad news that Brandon's Grandmother was in the ICU in San Jose with a virus that they couldn't identify and phenomena. We headed that way Saturday and Sunday and ended up having a great time getting to see cousins and go out for a great dinner! Grandma is doing much better and is expected home from the rehab center any day! Our prayers have been answered!

The Monday after Thanksgiving I flew to Las Vegas for the International Fairs and Expositions Conference. The girls from the fair and I were there for 4 days and had a great time and won 9 awards and the Best of Show Award as well. So for those of you who are saying....what's the big deal...this is like an Emmy or an Oscar to us Fair people! I was glad to come home after the trip and see my husband. He had a busy time while I was gone starting the re-plumbing project at our house.

So since coming home I have become the Co-Director of the Children's Christmas Service at church...God Bless Tammy for helping me and am almost done with Christmas Shopping. The house is decorated, I will post pictures once I find the camera and just need to start wrapping.

I love this time of year and feel so blessed to be married, have a home, food on the table, great family and friends and all those wonderful things.

So until next time, God bless each and everyone of you during this special time of year!

Global Warming

As I was driving to have lunch with my bff A on Thursday, I heard Rush Limbaugh talking about this....and all I have to say is AMEN! Thank you Rush for continuing to bring the truth to the people!


Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Weather Channel Founder: Global Warming ‘Greatest Scam in History’

Intro by Joe D’Aleo, Icecap, CCM
I was privileged to work with John Coleman, the founder of The Weather Channel in the year before it became a reality and then for the first of the 6 years I was fortunate to be the Director of Meteorology. No one worked harder than John to make The Weather Channel a reality and to make sure the staffing, the information and technology was the very best possible at that time. John currently works with KUSI in San Diego. He posts regularly. I am very pleased to present his latest insightful post.

By John Coleman

It is the greatest scam in history. I am amazed, appalled and highly offended by it. Global Warming; It is a SCAM. Some dastardly scientists with environmental and political motives manipulated long term scientific data to create an illusion of rapid global warming. Other scientists of the same environmental whacko type jumped into the circle to support and broaden the “research” to further enhance the totally slanted, bogus global warming claims. Their friends in government steered huge research grants their way to keep the movement going. Soon they claimed to be a consensus.
Environmental extremists, notable politicians among them, then teamed up with movie, media and other liberal, environmentalist journalists to create this wild “scientific” scenario of the civilization threatening environmental consequences from Global Warming unless we adhere to their radical agenda. Now their ridiculous manipulated science has been accepted as fact and become a cornerstone issue for CNN, CBS, NBC, the Democratic Political Party, the Governor of California, school teachers and, in many cases, well informed but very gullible environmentally conscientious citizens. Only one reporter at ABC has been allowed to counter the Global Warming frenzy with one 15 minute documentary segment.
I do not oppose environmentalism. I do not oppose the political positions of either party. However, Global Warming, i.e. Climate Change, is not about environmentalism or politics. It is not a religion. It is not something you “believe in.” It is science; the science of meteorology. This is my field of life-long expertise. And I am telling you Global Warming is a non-event, a manufactured crisis and a total scam. I say this knowing you probably won’t believe a me, a mere TV weatherman, challenging a Nobel Prize, Academy Award and Emmy Award winning former Vice President of United States. So be it.
I have read dozens of scientific papers. I have talked with numerous scientists. I have studied. I have thought about it. I know I am correct. There is no run away climate change. The impact of humans on climate is not catastrophic. Our planet is not in peril. I am incensed by the incredible media glamour, the politically correct silliness and rude dismissal of counter arguments by the high priest of Global Warming.
In time, a decade or two, the outrageous scam will be obvious. As the temperature rises, polar ice cap melting, coastal flooding and super storm pattern all fail to occur as predicted everyone will come to realize we have been duped. The sky is not falling. And, natural cycles and drifts in climate are as much if not more responsible for any climate changes underway. I strongly believe that the next twenty years are equally as likely to see a cooling trend as they are to see a warming trend. See John’s full blog story here.. See John’s forecast blog on the KUSI site here.
Posted on 11/07 at 10:56 AM

Packaging

Brandon and I went to Costco last week and I bought a postage scale for $19.99. I have never seen one under $35, so I was totally excited! But, wait...I still have not been able to get this darn packaging open! Can someone please tell me how to cut this thing open without killing myself in the process....this is when I need my husband home! He is so good at these things.

I almost forgot!

I already ordered my Christmas cards! Yippeee!! This is the picture that will be on the front of a beautiful card! I didn't want something that was a real setpicture, I love our smiles and how candid this picture is.... Thanks Laura for the help with the Christmas cards!!!

And he left me again...so lets shop!

It is back to being the wife that has had no husband! Kinda sad. This is supposed to be the best time of our lives, the first few months as a married couple, but I am trying to look at the bright side that Brandon is needed and wanted and has a constant work flow which means a constant paycheck. And as Aunt Debbie has taught me, as long as I have checks...I can go shopping! No, really...I think I have been doing the least amount of shopping ever in my life. I am spending gift cards to complete our gift registry, but I am not just shopping because I am bored! I really am trying to stick to our budget!!!

But, I have figured that if I buy Christmas gifts now, it will not hurt my pocket book as much in December, so I am already crossing names off the list! I am so proud of myself...I think this is the earliest I have ever started.

So Ralf and I continue to hang out with my mom since my dad is back in Florida working, so maybe it is time for a shopping spree!!

I Love Big Purses

So I was reading my best girlfriends blog about her big purse and how important it is in her life and I totally have to agree. It saved her sister-in-law at church on Sunday. Everything she needed to fight off a hedache was in the bag!

Today I had a meeting at the bank and I needed to take a file, my organizer and a pad of paper. While I was at the bank I had to do some personal and business banking so I figured I might as well get it all together. Oh and I had a ton of mail to drop off at the post office, but guess what....with all of that stuff it fit in my totally over sized, gigantic black handbag. I didn't have to tote around a briefcase and a purse...this is cost savings, right?? Just one bag to buy!

So if anyone ever makes fun of you for carrying a big purse, make a point of telling them it is your briefcase as well!

A busy few days

It has been a busy few days. Last Wednesday I actually got to see my husband. He came home from Az for 4 days. I am so lucky that I work from home and that I could take the days off that he was home.

Thursday I spent the morning at Farm Day Monterey volunteering and then Brandon and I went and picked out our new shower door. We enjoyed a nice quite evening at home that evening as well. Friday Brandon had to go into work, but I was able to get a lot done and then we had a great dinner with my parents that evening. Saturday was one of the best days ever! I went SHOPPING in SF with Adrienne and Lechelle! I am really getting a head start on my Christmas shopping and had so much fun going down to Pier 39 with the girls...thanks again girls! Oh and Brandon had dinner on the table when I got back to the house after a long day of shopping. I love my husband. Sunday was church and then The Baldwin's Halloween Party. Brandon and I took Maggie and Molly Roche to the party and enjoyed great snacks, pumpkin carving, bounce house, and so much more! Brandon was amazing helping Maggie and Tayler Baldwin carve there "Diamonds" in their pumpkins. He is going to make a great father some day! Monday was hard as Brandon had to leave for Az again, but I worked until about 2 pm in my spear bedroom....lots of wedding gifts to put away and stuff to try and find somewhere to store. I did make a big dent in it though...yippee! Tuesday was a busy day with fair committee meetings all morning and then puppy class on Tuesday night. We were almost done when a 5.6 earthquake hit. the dogs went nuts and my tummy was feeling a bit on the nervous side as well. It took 30 minutes extra for us to finish class. But all is well and Ralf is having fun in class...I really do want my dog to have manners! Wednesday was working meetings and the the shower door guy came to measure, man those things are so expensive! But, it was a big day for me...I made stew for the first time. I followed my moms directions and guess what, it was REALLY good if I do say so myself! Wes came over to enjoy dinner and hang out with me and hand out candy. I love our neighborhood. We have the greatest people around us and we had so much fun. I think Ralf had even more fun hanging out and trying to play with all the trick-or-treaters.

So that sums up my last week. I am sure there are a few things I have missed, a couple of break downs because I don't know when Brandon will be home, but it is for better or worse - so I guess this is a worse part, right??

Wedding Survey

Marriage Questionnaire

1.Who is your man? Brandon

2. How long have you been together? 2 years and one month

3. How long did you date? 1 year

4. How old is your man? 26; he is 341 days younger then me...I like to be the older woman

5. Who eats more? Hello!!! Brandon can eat an entire steer if he is hungry enough!

6. Who said "I love you" first? I am not totally sure who said it first, but I think it was Brandon at his house in Gilroy and he said he was falling in love with me.

7. Who is taller? Brandon

8. Who sings better? ME! There is a reason I am in the church choir....

9. Who is smarter? Degree wise, me but Brandon has an amazing amount of knowledge from life. Thank you United States Army!!

10. Whose temper is worse? Mine.

11. Who does the dishes? Brandon clears the table and I put them in the dish washer...I don't like how he loads it :-)

12. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

13. Who pays the bills? I do.

14. Who is better at the computer? Even I think....Brandon just doesn't like using them

15. Who mows the lawn? The lawn guys...thank goodness!

16. Who cooks dinner? Joint effort

17. Who drives when you are together? Mostly Brandon

18. Who pays when you go out? Brandon

19. Who is more stubborn? I don't think either on of us!

20. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? Me after a fit occurs

21. Whose parents do you see most? Mom and Dad Leonard....we thank god for them daily!

22. Who kissed who first? Brandon kissed me in the San Jose Airport on the first date...don't ask!

23. Who asked who out? There was no asking out, I had to go to SJ Airport to pick up Wes and he went with me because I was afraid of getting lost.......

24. Who proposed? Brandon...."so you want to get married" while having a drink at the circle bar at the Paris in Vegas....I still love him since he let me pick out my rings!

25. Who is more sensitive? Hello, me.

26. Who has more friends? that is a hard one...we both know way to many people, but we have very few really close friends, we just cherish the ones we have!

27. Who has more siblings? Even, we both come from homes with two children, both one girl and one boy! I hope that means we get one of each since I have names for them already!!

Thanks A! That was fun!!

Hope you enjoyed, tagging everyone who wants to!

Getting Ready!

Yes, it is true Brandon is coming home! I am so excited. He should be home sometime tomorrow night, I can't wait!!! And for some reason it has motivated me to get my office clean so that I don't have to worry about that once he is home. I also finished writing all of the wedding gift thank you notes, I am in the process of putting pictures from the table camera's in a book and am having pictures from the honeymoon printed to put in a darling book my mom bought for me. Finally I am getting things accomplished!

It's Here....

I have been very excited everyday to get the mail hoping that my new social security card would arrive with my wonderful new name; Courtney Christine Boyles on it. I was really hoping that it would be here by Monday since I have an appoitment at the DMV to change my driver license and today it arrived. Yippee!!!

So I guest it is official......... I am Mrs. Courtney Christine Boyles!

I haven't signed the card yet becuase I just can't figure out how to sign Boyles....a B with a line or should I use nice handwriting and make it look pretty before I just scribble anyways!

I took a picture of the card, but for some reason there is an issue and it will not upload, erg!

Count down begins!

15 Thank You cards to go as of right now!What should I do to celebrate....

I would love to hear some ideas.......................

I just hope no more wedding presents show up for a week or two.

And he left again

He came and he went. Man I really don't care for this my husband is traveling thing. He arrived home on Thursday at about 5 pm and we enjoyed making breakfast for dinner and hanging out that evening. I took Friday and Monday off and we had to run a ton of errands! Poor guy, I put him to work as soon as he got home; the washing machine was leaking so we had to hit up The Home Depot!! And for the first time I made soup from scratch! I am so proud. Special thanks to Aunt Debbie for the recipe book!

Saturday was an awesome day! We slept in, drank coffee together and then took the dog on a long hike. We are really enjoying the trails we found off Reservation Road. Then we did more errands and got stuff done around the house. Mom treated us to a way yummy dinner too.

Sunday was church and then hanging out with the parents. Brandon put a new faucet and plumbing in for my mom in the kitchen. The old faucet sprung a leak last week! Brandon and I also decided that mom need a new garbage disposal so Brandon put that in as well.

Monday was a trip to the dump, a haircut for Brandon and lots of other errands. Thanks again to mom for another yummy meal. It was nice not having to cook for two nights in a row! And thanks to Brandon for AWESOME BBQ chicken breast and pork chops.

And then it was time for him to leave again. I hope that he comes home this next weekend, but all I can do is hope and pray!

5 Things......

I'M IT
I have been tagged so here it goes:

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. I was a Senior in High School with 12 or so hogs to take care of so needless to say...I was cleaning up after them!
2. Enjoying having little responsibility
3. Getting ready to head to Cal-Poly SLO!
4. Hanging out at the dairy....things kids do in Salinas
5. Spending every spear moment at the lake laying in the sun and wake boarding.

5 Things on my To-do List:

1. Go home...my husband should be home in about 20 minutes...haven't seen him in 10 days!
2. Purchase new running shoes.
3. Endless wedding thank you notes
4. Figure out what's for dinner tonight
5. Watch Grey's Anatomy...wish your were closer Tamara...we could have a Grey's night!

5 Things I would do if I had a million dollars

1. Give money to the church
2. Remodel our house
3. Buy Brandon the truck of his dreams
4. Purchase a travel trailer
5. Donate money to the fairgrounds

5 Things I will never wear again

1. Jeans so tight your tummy hurts...what was I thinking in HS??
2. Jelly shoes, talk about blisters! - Tamara, I hear you there!
3. Mid-drift shirts
4. French cuffed jeans...with the nice roll on the bottom!
5. Multiple pairs of alternating colored socks, you know white on pink on the left foot and pink on white on the right - who thought of that?...yes, but add the Reebok high top tennis shoes!

5 Favorite Toys
1. My laptop
2. Digital camera
3. New Video Camera
4. My shoes and handbags....they are girls toys, right!
5. All my new kitchen stuff!!

5 People I am tagging: Anyone who would like to think back and have a good laugh!

Half way there.....

On Sunday I decided that I was going to start tackling the daunting task of thank you cards for all the gifts Brandon and I received for the wedding and I just hit that half way mark. But I have realized, I will keep getting gifts over the next few months and will have to continue to write thank you notes. So if you have sent a gift and it take me a little while to get them out, sorry, but we are having a blast using everything that we have received.

But, a question for you...why is it that the woman has to do almost everything for these events. Granted, Brandon would have done anything I ask him to, but the woman has to change her name....write the thank yous, organize the gifts and where to keep all of the new found gadgets and such.......oh ya, I guess sit is because we really are the ones in charge no matter what the men think!

And then he has to leave again....

So I was so excited yesterday that Brandon is coming home, but I found out today athat he will have to leave again Tuesday. He will be home for about 4 days, leave Tuesday and hopes to come home on Friday. Atleast it is for only about four days if everything goes right. I can't wait for him to come home, it is just going to be so hard to see him leave again. Because of all of this I figured I deserved some good snacks after dinner and totally enjoyed my mom cupcakes! Thanks mom for taking such good care of me when Brandon is gone!!

The picture is of Brandon and his first Jack Reggie!

My husband is coming home!!!!!!

Brandon told me today that he will be heading home sometime on Thursday. I am so excited! I have missed him so much. I am not going to be the only one that is excited, Ralf is going to be oh so happy. This little dog is so spoiled. I think I go overboard when Daddy is away! Ralf has his "sofa" in my parents family room and that is where he sleeps until we go to bed at night. He is a really good dog! But there are times that all he wants is my lap and then when he gets hot he jumps off of me and is supposed to lay on the sofa....but tonight.....he liked the floor the most and I didn't want him to get cold so I covered him with his grammy-ana, i.e. the blanket that my mom made for the dog! I feel so bad for this little dog, he looks at the door and hopes that his daddy walks through door, it breaks my heart! What I am going to be like as a mother of a real child...............................................That will have to wait a few years!

Asleep on his mommy

Sleeping against his "sofa"

Feeling better today....

So after my feel sorry for me post on Saturday I decided to get off my soap box and do something about it. I have a dear friend, Wes....actually he is more like a brother, we have been the best of friends since 5th grade and I decided to give him a call and see if he wanted to join my sweet like dog and me for a hike. Ralf had never been out on a hike, but he is doing a ton better on the leash and interacting with others so we can give it a shot, right. Well we had the best time and found a great new place to hike. The US Bureau of Land Management http://www.blm.gov/style/medialib//blm/ca/pdf/pdfs/hollister_pdfs.Par.9e89a0fe.File.pdf/Trail_Brochure_Cover.pdf

has a great parking lot with trails for hiking, biking, walking, and horseback riding. It was wonderful. We only got to go on a 15 hike there...we figured we didn't need to carry a 12 pound dog at the end of hike since we didn't know the trails. From there we decided to go to Toro Park and take a walk there. We both are familiar with the roads and trails there and figured it would be better for Ralf's first hike. http://www.mtycounty.com/pgs-parks/parks-cnty/toro.html. One of the greats parts of both of these is they are FREE! At Toro, there is a small parking area just outside the gates so you can park there and you don't have to pay to enter. I usually fell bad about not paying since these parks don't take care of themselves, but if I am not using any of the facilities, then why do I have to pay.....

On Sunday I had another great day! Ralf is sleeping better and I don't have to let him out during the night so I am a much happier person. We got up and got ready for him to head to the Boyles house to stay in the yard and for me to head to church. It was a great day at church, choir has started again after summer break so today was our first Sunday back in our robes and singing. It always feels so good to get back to the normal life! Our vacancy Pastor gave a wonderful sermon on the woman in the bible and their roll in the life of Jesus. His sermon was inspired by the Lutheran Woman Missionary League and it was LWML Sunday to celebrate all that they do, take a look http://www.lwml.org/. It was really empowering since I have been on a low the last few days! And then the best part of Sunday.....a great BBQ at one of our Elders homes with a Pumpkin Weigh-In. He grows these amazing 400+ lbs pumpkins and then all the guests get to go and pick the normal little carving pumpkins. I will have to take a picture of my porch, the pumpkins I got are awesome! Oh and thanks Wes for coming down to King City for the BBQ and Pumpkin picking with me!


So after my low on Saturday morning the rest of the weekend came out awesome! Oh and I was able to have dinner both evenings with my parents. I really can't wait for Brandon to get home so I can cook for him.

Feeling sad....

So today is turning out to be a hard day. Brandon is in Yuma, AZ working his tail off so that he can get home and I am having a poor me day. Today is our 3 week anniversary, if there is such a thing and he really should be here. Being married for 3 weeks should really be a reson to celebrate with a fun breakfast or dinner or something, but no he is stuck in AZ. But the good news is that I think he is going to finish up the job early and get to come home for a little while before he has to go back down. But then he should be done for a while. Anyways, thanks for listening to my sadness......

Our first day in Maui....can't we just go back!

And Ralf turns into a true doggy!!

Yesterday was my first day back to my office and my desk that was piled high since we returned from our honeymoon. I worked from home until about 10:30 to spend a little time with Ralf since Brandon left for Yuma. Ralf gets depressed when his daddy leaves. It is amazing how much a puppy is like a child. I figured that I would be in the office from 10:30 - 4:30 yesterday and then head back to the house to gather a few things since Ralf and I are staying with my mom while Brandon is in Yuma and my Dad is in Florida...lets make it a girls week!! Ralf has been such a good boy since he came home from the kennel when we got home from Maui that I figured I could leave the doggy door open and he could hand in the house yesterday if he wanted to...well bad idea on my part! When I walked into our house which was clean when I left I found this! Two People magazines and a Budweiser catalog in shreds....plus he had gotten a hold of some of my clothes and dragged them all over the house as well. I guess I was asking too much of him to be a good boy while I was at work and he was home alone.




So on Tuesday I took Ralf to doggy daycare. He loves going to daycare and has so much fun. It is well worth the money to have a full day to devote to cleaning up the desk and the office and not have to worry about my house!! He was so tired when he came home that he has been the best dog. He has been playing with his favorite toy, Squirrel all by himself most of the night. When he looks this cute, I seem to forget about my beloved People Mags!!






I hope you have enjoyed the pictures of our little Ralf. He really does help to keep a smile on my face when Brandon is away on business.

A busy few days.....

So it has been a been a busy few days since we got back from Maui. We arrived home late Tuesday the 25th and Brandon had a touch of the flu Wednesday so we got nothing done. Thursday was more productive and we started to move me into the house and out of my parents house. Friday was a Costco shopping day and we wanted to buy a new bed while we were at Costco. That failed and we ended up at Mattress Discounters and got a wonderful deal. I am very proud to say we are the new owners of a Cal King. Ralf takes up most of the bed so we needed the extra room! The only bad part of the new bed (all the bedding is on it now thanks to VERY generous wedding gifts) was that they delivered it at 7:35 am on a Saturday, but everything always works out! Being up and at am so early I got a ton done before Adrienne and Adam came over for a BBQ! It was great to have our first guests over since we are husband and wife. Adrienne made an AWESOME dessert. Link to her blog to find the recipe. Sunday it was off to church and last minute stuff before Brandon had to head back to Yuma for work. He left Monday and will be back on the 11th. The following pictures are of our totally awesome doorknocker that Aunt Jinny and Uncle Steve gave us. We have had it for a couple of months, but we wanted to wait until we were the "The Boyles" before we hung it up. Thanks again Aunt Jinny and Uncle Steve. I think that is one of the neatest things I have I received. I will try to keep more post coming, there is just so much to take care of when Brandon is gone. I am going to need another vacation when he gets back!!

Wedding Pictures for you to enjoy......

The Ceremony and our Bridal Party

Our Vows

The blessing and our First Kiss as Mr. and Mrs. Brandon Boyles

A View From the Back

Our Sweetheart Table with my flowers

We're Back....

Brandon and I are home after the most fabulous wedding and honeymoon ever! We are blessed to have each other. Thanks to all o four family and friends for making it a wonderful day! Special thanks to Mom and Dad for giving us the perfect day!!!!

I will post more details later, but here are a few pictures of the wedding and the honeymoon!!

Just a few more days as a Miss........

There are only a few more days that I will be a Miss. Things are going a lot better today. I finally just put my foot down and stopped working. I have two things left on my to do list, so not bad at all.....and no I am not nervous at all either. Brandon and I are both just excited to get on with our lives as weird as that might sound. We will go and pick up Brandon's tux tonight and then we are set for Saturday.....I am looking forward to getting some sleep over the next few weeks on our honeymoon...I am just beat....next time I post, I will be Mrs. Brandon L. Boyles.....so exciting!!!

The picture is of Pasadera Country Club at night...our wedding and reception should just be beautiful!

All you can see is a bag..............

Well Mom and I made a quick, and I mean quick trip to San Fran today to pick-up my wedding dress! It was so awesome to pull up to Saks Fifth Ave in Union Square and have a lady waiting at the front doors holding my gown. It is three bags and I couldn't wait to get it home and hang it. It is hanging in my home office and all I can see is the REALLY long train and I can't believe that the last year has passed and I am about to be married. I have worked all night at clearing my desk and working on wedding stuff. I only have four thing left on my list other then, hair, nails, pedicure and a little time to pamper myself before the big day. I really am about to be Mrs. Brandon Lee Boyle's!!

Please keep us and our guest's who are traveling from out of town in your prayers!

Work...weddings...stress....

Why is it always that when work is the worse you need it to be the best! I am swapped at work and well the wedding is 9 days away. I seems like once I put out one fire the next fire starts. Oh well...that is what I get paid for .

But I have to say I am about to marry the most wonderful man. I had a meeting at the fair today and it didn't get out until 6:40pm. By the time I got home, Brandon had cleaned the house, fed the dog and was almost done making dinner. I am so blessed to call him mine.

Anyway...I am sure I will vent more on here over then next 9 days as I prepare for the wedding and try to close up all the lose ends in the office...

Thanks for listening :-) Oh and since I have no really cute pictures of anything...I figured you might like to see a baby picture of Brandon.....I hoep are kids look this cute someday!

10 Days to D Day

Well it is 10 Days to D day...or the beginning of the next chapter of our lives! I am really excited. We have had so much going on lately, but Brandon is home and that has been the true blessing form the Lord!

Today I went to my hairdresser, she has been doing my hair since I was 4 and we practiced the wedding hair and she got it on the first try! It is going to be beautiful! I really don't have much left to do for the big day, but work is overwhelming at the moment so I need to get through that this week so I can start my time off next week!

Ralf is doing better...it is actually his hip and not his knee and it looks like it will just take time to heal....no surgeries needed at this time!! Yippee....more money for the honeymoon! Maui here we come!

Brandon and I decided that we needed a little get away so we headed to his Aunt and Uncles' in Placerville for a quick visit and it is just what the doctor ordered...good food, family and lots of laughs, but I forgot the camera...so no fun pictures!

I will post wedding pictures as soon as I can......

I broke down.......

I guess that I made the jump and came over to the world of bloggin. I figured that this would be the best way to post pictures from the wedding, honeymoon and all the wonderful things to come.

So the wedding is in 21 days and Brandon is still working in Yuma Az. He needs to come home. I had a total breakdown today...lots of crying, but some days you just have to fall apart to let the Spirit of the Lord fill you back up to over come the fears and stress. Our beloved puppy hurt his knee and we will be having a consultation with an Orthopedic Surgeon on Monday so I am glad that he will get some relief from the pain soon. But, other then the stress I can't wait to me Mrs. Boyles. I am so in love with my future husband.

Thanks A for introducing me to the blogspot...I hope all of you enjoy.