Gotta make a statement... A bold one!

Well it was time to finally breakdown and make a big purchase in my life. I have been dealing with a dilemma of having no closed toe shoes to wear when it starts to cool down here other than tennis shoes or dressy boots. I needed and "in-between" shoe that could be nice looking, but not too dressy. Well let me tell you I had my eye on a very special pair of shoes for some time now and last week I bit the bullet and spent the fortune to buy them. Apparently they are a hot item here because most stores did not have them in stock. I found a store that would ship them to my house for free and believe me, I was tracking their status every day on the UPS website. Well Wednesday was the day and I knew to expect them between 9 am and 7 pm. I sat on the couch anxiously awaiting the UPS man, but apparently he chose to come while I was gone to Target for the last hour of the day. Don't worry I wore these beauties all during the CMA awards. I love them and know they will turn many heads on the streets this winter.

I introduce to you my new, very BOLD statement...

These lovely leopard print danskos may even make it to work with me occasionally to dress up my blue scrubs.

Best part about them is that they can be worn with black or brown!!!!

Happy shoe shopping!

An update of my home

Below are just a couple of photos I took this evening after enjoying 3 hours of CMA watching. These are just to give those of you who have not visited an idea of some recent home renovations Cortney and I have completed.

My bedroom with my bed unmade and a picture purchased at Ikea in Salt Lake!

The island that was once maroon and has acquired fabulous knobs from anthropologie

The living room with fall decorations (thanks to Kaytee) and a new fireplace screen


Our cheery little dining room with a new valance and a new "sunny" paint job on the table

Just a little insight into where I live and enjoy staying warm!!!!

My "Rents"

A tribute to my parents for coming to spend a fun-filled fall weekend in Boise with me. Thanks for buying for me, letting me beat you at skip-bo, and delivering my new ride (razor scooter!!!). Thanks for bring the fun :)

P. S. Dad your sweater doesn't look too "jacked up" in this one, and now we have evidence that mom is the boss of you by making you wear black :)

You know you live in Idaho when ...

First of all, I want all of my faithful readers to notice that I have now blogged twice in one day. This day ought to be documented!!!

Well to finish the title of this blog: You know you live in Idaho when a patient comes in and names there daughter PALIN.

Random fact of the day: Sarah Palin is from Sandpoint, Idaho

Happy voting!!!!

The mystery growth in my backyard

I am not sure what this mystery growth is in the backyard, but if anyone has an idea I would appreciate the input. I debate whether or not to call it a fruit or a vegetable. The leaves were growing and spreading when we first moved in. Originally I thought it was a pumpkin plant, and it even had yellow blossoms just like a pumpkin plant. Out of the entire garden only two of the blossoms turned into an actual growth. They are both very different in shape and size. We are probably just going to have to cut them open and discover what mystery is growing in our backyard for ourselves.

Look at the little one

The giant "growth"

The entire garden in our backyard with only two blooms that produced

Happy gardening!

You know you live in Idaho when...

So last week I had the most amazing encounter on my way home from the mall. Now I must preface this story with the fact that when I moved to Idaho I knew hunting was a big deal for many who live here, but I have never seen the "products" of it.

I was on an onramp onto the freeway and beginning to merge when I looked over my shoulder and saw a large truck coming up. I let them pass me but just as they were alongside of me I saw a dead moose looking me in the eyes!!!!! Apparently they had been enjoying a week out in the wilderness and thought this guy would make for a good dinner or wall decoration. I am not sure but it took me the couple miles I had to travel behind them to regain my composure. I have come to the conclusion that this is just not that uncommon of a sighting here in rural Boise, Idaho.

Happy Hunting!!!!

Not the actual moose that I saw (driving and taking pictures just isn't that safe)

John and Kate plus eight (on a smaller scale)

Well this week held many firsts, including babysitting multiples! Of course as much as I love babies I was pretty sure I was up for the challenge. One of my coworkers (who works nights!) had triplets 7 months ago. She was in desperate need of sleep during the day and needed someone to watch her sweet peas. I volunteered to give it a try. When she said they were easy I thought she must be lying to me.

I found out for myself on Tuesday she was telling me the truth. First of all, she has babies that are very mellow but all in all they were so much fun. I had to resolve early on that if they all start crying at once there is only so much I can do to keep them quiet. About half way through the day I also had the families 3 y/o son Grant come home from preschool. Grant has down syndrome and is absolutely the sweetest kiddo ever. He is such a help at entertaining the babies!

As long as the babies stay on a schedule it is fairly easy. They have bottles every three hours and sleep for brief periods of time in between. I am not sure I ever got them to sleep for me all at the same time or for more than 30 minutes :) I now swear by "Podee" bottles for any family with multiples. The babies can practically feed themselves as long as they are propped up.

Nicole's (the mom) advice: only have triplets if you can grown an extra boob and arm; twins are more practical!

Happy Birth Controlling!!!!!

Stampeding it up!!!!!

Well on a friday night what better to do that get all gussied up, put on your finest western wear, and go out and join the classy people of Nampa, Idaho for the Snake River Stampede (or at least that is what Cortney and I thought!) We even got VIP treatment with a free bbq before hand thanks to Randy Howard. This fun event is an annual event that lasts for an entire week. Hopefully next summer mom and dad can plan a vacation around it :)

Thank goodness we did not even miss the Mutton Bustin' (little kids riding sheep). The kiddo who won made it all the way to the center of the arena where the herd of sheep that had already been ridin' were waiting and then he was drug a few extra feet. Pretty impressive for a 5 or 6 year old. I must say that someday when I am a parent it would sure be a worthwhile event to enter my child into!!!

Cort and I dressed in our finest western attire

Must bust out the cowgirl boots for an event like this

Having fun with the camera :)

The venue: The Idaho Center

The One Arm Bandit show from Oklahoma

The one arm bandit and his horse chased these two buffalo onto the top of the horse trailer (impressive!)

Documenting my attire from head to toe

We even got a fun hand stamp for the Mikes Hard Lemonade!

**Make sure to keep reading because there are two more posts today!!!!

Meet Mr. Moo, aka Kit Kat

I would like to introduce you all to my new found friend. I actually didn't find him, but rather he found me. When Cortney and I first moved into our new house I would occassionally see this not so furry friend in the alley and he would run away whenever I got anywhere near him. When I returned from spending 4th of July in San Diego apparently this cat decided to claim our home as his home also.

He is quite friendly now and anytime you step outside the back door he is sure to follow you and rub up against your legs. When sitting in the basement he will lay at the window and watch your every move. I recently decided to buy him some food and give him water because he has been sticking around 24 hours a day. Who knows why he chose us, maybe because he knew we could not have any pets here. As my mom says, "he is just an answer to my prayers!"

Meet Mr. Moo (through the screen door)

Saturday morning Mr. Moo is anxiously waiting on the patio for me
Kit Kat waving or cleaning himself, I am not sure!
Oh stretch!

He is off the market

Well today's posts are catching up for lost time and I need to fill you in on the order these things have occurred. For starters I am sad to inform you all that Jesse Csincsak is off the market ladies and gentlemen!!!

Kaytee had me excited that once the Bachelorette ended I could begin using the contact info. I had for him. Well unfortunately, Deanna got him and everyone watching national television knows this. Who says that because of this recent hook up I can't still take him up on the offer to call him when I am in Colorado for snowboarding lessons?

Well grandmother and I will just have to continue being friendly on airplanes to make more acquaintances with famous individuals!

Moving on up!

Welcome to our new home : 2518 W. State St. It is very nice to be able to refer to our place as a home with a huge basement and no more apartment traffic or smoking neighbors. Below are a few pictures of the house with some boxes that still need to find a home :) I will try and post more later, but hopefully these will satisfy your desires for now.

Love the rust colored door!

My bedroom
Cort's bedroom

Well I will try to keep this post fairly short as I am writing from our computer that sits in an empty apartment. It is official that Cortney and I now live in a HOUSE.

Changes and finally another post!

Well today marks a very big change in my life. I will no longer be working normal hours 7am-7pm, but rather I will be working when the rest of the world is sleeping (7pm-7am). These 12 hours are also the time that some women decide to go into labor which make the night go by quicker! I owe a big thanks to a friend of mine that took me on a hard run in the foothills because I was tired enough to take a nap before getting ready for work. I also anticipate being very sore tomorrow and wanting to call my friend awful names :)

Anyways I thought I would write a post about my recent trip to San Diego and all the fun it entailed. It was wonderful spending time with the parents, seeing friends from college, and of course being a part of Renee and Dan's wedding. Below I have included pictures in no particular order of some of the fun times. (They are all mixed up because I have yet to figure out how to change the order in this world of blogging!)

Janine and I enjoying ourselves at Coronado. We even ate ice cream at Moo Time!

Us bridesmaids, the bride, and ring bearer who did not want to look at the camera

Renee showing us all the functions of her new kitchenaid we pitched in to purchase for her. That is the only reason to get married, isn't it!

Cort and I showing some roommate love

44F represent!

The beautiful Hotel Del Coronado

The bride-to-be and I at the bachelorette party (We look very "Christmasy" together)

Well I am off to get some Starbucks coffee before I head into work.

Random pictures and excitement from the last few weekends

The following pictures are in no particular order, but are here to give you a glimpse into the excitement of my life. (If I was more savvy with blogging I would have the pictures in order, but I am not!) Cortney and I have enjoyed trying to spend more time outside on the weekends since the weather has been nicer.

Cortney, Kyle, and I on our way to the market (squished in the backseat of Marc's car)
Marc and Kyle excited to be sitting outside eating Pita Pit
Jeff and I looking happy to be friends, or even know each other
Me at my birthday dinner with Cortney; The restaurant was a wonderful Rib Shack
Our food after devouring it
Cortney's precious cousins and I at Red Robin
Spencer and I playing games while waiting for our food.
FYI: food is served quicker when you go to Red Robin with young children!

Cortney and I on our way to go "garage sale-ing"

More pictures to come later this week or early next week. This is an update for someone in particular and you will know who you are when you read this!!!!!!!!!