Dallas

There are so many great things about living in Texas! (such as living so incredibly close to family) But the one thing I have really enjoyed lately is being able to visit and attend the Dallas Temple. It is very different in appearance from many of the "common" temples that I as Latter-Day Saint sometimes think of (ex. Salt Lake, LA, San Diego)but it has such character and it has the most incredible marbled exterior walls paired with spires that so beautifully surround and act as sentinels to the temple. I might be partial to this specific temple since this is where Julius and I were sealed for Time and All Eternity but besides that tid bit of info... I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple and the blessing that I have of living to close to one. No matter how different each temple on the exterior might be the most amazing thing about them to me, is that the instruction we receive in the temple is the very same just as our Father in Heaven is the same today and tomorrow, and forever.

And ye may know that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, according to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
Moroni 10:7

Hello Sunshine

This last week we went to West Palm Beach Florida for a trip with Julius' company and it was so fun. We left LA around 4 am and arrived in West Palm Beach around 5:45 ish got the rental car and drove to our resort. It was a great trip that was super relaxed and consisted of tennis, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, beach lounging and great company.

On our first day at the beach we saw a...SHARK!! Very dramatic right? well it was only about a 5 footer and with all the boys rushing to the shore to try and catch it the shark swam away and didn't return. It was quite thrilling though and a little erie. It was no jaws just a bottom feeder that clearly did not like all the attention. Other than that the beach was pretty laid back and just gorgeous. I love the beach and I love to snorkel. There wasn't much to see other than some little fish and the occasional hermit crab but still so fun.

Deep sea fishing was quite the adventure as well. Although I was pretty nervous that I might get sea sick since it's not uncommon for me to get car sick if we drive on a windey road. So the night before we took some Dramamine and then the day of we took another dose. When we arrived at the dock the Captain and his mates were still cleaning after the last group and we just waited and watched the pelicans and other birds that were swarming the boats in hopes of some left over bait. It took probably an hour or so to get out of the harbor and Julius and I still felt fine and lucky for us neither of us got sea sick! Being out on the water was so realxing with the gently rocking back and forth and a couple of times I thought I could have fallen asleep (but i didnt).

We finally arrived at the first spot and cast our lines to the ocean floor. Right away I could feel the nibbles of the fish and then I felt a huge tug and started reeling in my line and BAM there was a cute sea bass on it! I think I was most excited that I was one of the first to catch a fish! It's always nice to beat the boys ;) So anyway I caught 2 more right after that and then....nothing the rest of time we were out there. Which was kind of a let down. We kept moving spots because sea bass are illegal to catch and the captain wanted us to catch keepers. Julius caught around 7-8 fish none of which were keepers just sea bass. We both had a lot of fun on our fishing adventure even though we didn't catch any keepers.

I can't really think of anything else to exciting to share. Most of the time we were just taking it easy or playing a little bit of tennis which Julius was in HEAVEN about. Have I mentioned before how much he LOVES tennis??? Well, its a lot :) The Nike Junior Pro Tour kids were there at our resort I'm assuming at a tennis camp and man-o-man these kids were awesome and really intimidating. We held our own and just had fun hitting around and playing some doubles.

I love vacations and am so grateful I got to spend it with my hubs :) Now the next exciting thing for us is moving to........... DALLAS!!!! I am so excited and can not wait to live next to mi familia!!
enjoy the pics

new life

Please please please.....Listen to this Album! I am in LOVE with it.
-thanks

Apple Dip!!

Tonight for mutual we are having a movie night...so that includes lots of candy and of course apple dip!!! This stuff is amazing I love it...So here it is

You need these to start
1/2-2 cups powdered sugar
8 oz cream cheese
a little vanilla


and mix

and layer

then mix your carmel dipping sauce (usually found by the apples at the grocery store)

smooth over cream cheese mixture

break into pieces and crush ( i like my chunks of chocolate more coarse)

sprinkle on carmel

waa-la
cut up some apples and dip!! enjoy

Of Things That Matter Most

I recently gave a talk in church on this wonderful topic, Of Things That Matter Most by President Uchtdorf. It is an inspiring subject that helps all realize what is important and what truly matters most. I am so grateful for opportunities like giving a talk that help encourage us to study and gear our thoughts towards the gospel. I feel so blessed to have experiences that increase my faith and testimony in my Savior. I am grateful to be in Young Women's again and get to know such amazing strong girls that our growing and figuring out for themselves what they "want" and how they can "choose" what matters most to them. I love being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints.

if you have the time take a few minutes and watch or listen to President Uchtdorf

Valentines Day with the Husband

Happy Valentines Day!

Julius and I were able to spend an amazing day in Hollywood and Beverly Hills for our Valentine's Day and it was sooo much fun. I'm so lucky I have a husband who put up with my constant begging to go do this since we first moved to the LA area because I'm sure he would have just been happy playing tennis and staying home. Thanks love!
We started at Hollywood Blvd and walked the famous star studded sidewalk. Which was fun pointing out names and seeing how many star squares we could recognize.



Shirley Temple's hands and signature

I'll admit it...I love me some Britney

...and so does the husband (might I add this was the only picture I got a full smile)

This was a must...



who doesn't love some mickey

why so serious...

julius: "man i wish i had my nun-chucks"
me: "oh, gosh"
julius: "what.."

he floats....

...and i sting

ripley's believe or not

the wax museum

and my absolute favorite part of the entire day other than spending it with the most amazing person..... was walking Rodeo Drive

the end.

our little california adventure

One of our first date nights down at the Santa Monica Pier

well here we are again the "traveling gypsies"...i'm afraid to say it again we moved. packed up (for the 7th million time). moved out. and headed for covina, ca.

it was quite the culture shock when we first got here. coming from gilbert arizona the ever growing population to come to mature, established, melting pot of covina. happy to report it has grown on us and we don't have much to complain about life is good :)