holly & anthony

All Dressed in White

2012-02-22T22:10:00.000-08:00

Feb 5th 2012 - Blessing Day!

It was a special day and neat to see our sweet little baby all dressed up in white. There were 5 baby blessing in our ward including us! That is a lot of new babies! The chapel was filled with the spirit as each one received a name and blessing. We are so thankful for all the family that came and missed those who couldn't make it especially Anthony's dad, but we sure were thinking about him though! It is such a neat experience to have a new baby and feel of the spirit Eisley brings into our home.

Our little family!

Special shoes made by Anthony's Grandma Hall before she passed away and socks from Aunt Geneva. Thank you so much! We feel honored that she could wear them and know she was there with us. We are grateful that Eisley has such amazing relatives and a great heritage.

LOVE!

Sticky Spaghetti

2012-02-05T21:26:00.001-08:00

Have you ever played with your food? Well I have! Good thing Eisley is too young to realize that her parents play with food! Anthony and I made Elk Pork Spaghetti the other day. It was actually really good. Anthony has also made Elk Pork hamburgers too and they turned out surprisingly delicious! Anyways on to my point about playing with food. After we were done eating I went back for some noodles. I love noodles! Whenever my mom makes lasagna and I am home I secretly hope she has left over noodles so I can snack on! I grabbed the pot and picked up a long noodle and it bounced into my hair and stuck! Anthony said Ewww it is in your hair and I laughed. I pulled it out and threw it away. I said they are so sticky and he said throw one at the door. I proceeded to throw a long noodle at the door and it stuck! I laughed and then started throwing noodles at the door! It was fun and Anthony joined in too! By the end we were laughing and had noodles all over the door and when they would drop on the floor Tilly would eat them. It was a fun moment to remember and I hope that my kids learn to have fun from us but no throwing food! (Unless it is with mom and dad) Haha Sticky Noodles!

4 Generations

2012-02-01T21:01:00.001-08:00

Eisley got to meet her Great Grandpa Hall for the first time at Christmas!

She is his 115th great grandchild!! That is a lot of greats!

It is always fun to visit Grandma Donna and Grandpa Hall!

Grandpa Hall, Great Grandpa Hall, Anthony, and Eisley

our very own pet prairie dog

2012-01-29T20:50:00.000-08:00

Did you know that a prairie dog lives at our house? Begging for food or any kind of treat or potty or wants to play! She is our little miss beggar and I call her our prairie dog.

Don't you see the resemblance?

Two weeks of Christmas

2012-01-27T11:42:00.000-08:00

I know this is way past Christmas but at least it is still in January! The week of Christmas was spent in Snowflake with my family. I kept Eisley away from everyone to keep her safe from germs and in her car seat a lot of the time. It was fun to see all my family and to spend time with them. Anthony and I got the very best Christmas present! A little cute baby!

Our little family on Christmas :)

Grandma Mills, who is the best mom and grandma!

My oldest niece Hailey and I. I love her so much and can't believe she is turning 11 this year! She is so sweet and I love to talk about books with her think it is awesome she likes to read! Keep it up Hailey!

Anthony always joins in the Fun!

As you can see he still is joining in the fun with his family too! They came the week after Christmas to visit and see baby Eisley! It was so fun to have Craig, Marni,(Texas) Riley, Madison, Lauren, Jordon,(Round Valley) Kelsey, & Kasen(Oregon) here in Mesa!

Kelsey and Anthony playing Just Dance. It was so funny!

Thank you for coming to visit and for spending time together! I can't wait for this coming Christmas to do it all again! Eisley loved meeting everyone for the first time and we miss you all so much! Sorry I didn't get pictures with Marni's girls! I am so bad at remembering to take pictures! Love you ALL!

Eisley loves you too! I think she has a reddish tint to her hair. What do you think?

Where did her legs go?

2012-01-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

When I went to wake Eisley up this morning from her early morning nap this is what I found.

Here she is asleep and I reached for her legs to turn her over....

They were gone! She had them pulled up inside her pjs and curled under her belly!

Christmas Lights

2012-01-19T20:45:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of December my mom surprised me with Christmas decorations! She bought me a cute little tree and Shawna gave me some garland and wreath! They are so sweet! It made me happy to have the feeling of Christmas in out house. I kept the lights on all day for the whole month!

Now prepare for some pregnant pictures. I am so grateful my belly is pretty much gone

and that I can sleep on my back now!

This was at the Temple lights they day before I went to the hospital. I love seeing all the beautiful lights and of course just being on the temple grounds is always nice.

the grass is greener on my side

2012-01-17T15:17:00.001-08:00

Yay! Our little backyard is finished! It looks amazing! I never took before pictures but let me tell you it is a million times better. Before it was just plain dirt and cats would use it quite regularly and hence it stunk very bad! We tried sprinkling cat repellent on the dirt and it seemed to work for a little bit but sadly they came back. So far grass has seemed to ward them away! A big thanks to Craig, Anthony's dad, who helped lay the brick. I just love looking at my little patch of grass and lets give a big round of applause to Anthony who is the best husband ever! He laid the sod, made a little planter so I can have pretty things to grow, and bought cool succulent plants! It does need a few more though but I want to go and pick them out. Thank you Anthony for making our home a better and more welcoming place to be! Happy Day!

Anthony even stained our gate and painted it. It looks so much better!

I just love my backyard now! It makes me happy and I might even plant some flowers.

a surprise, a great gift, and being a mom

2012-01-14T20:01:00.000-08:00

While Anthony was in Texas this summer he worked on a big surprise for me! A BIG Secret and he wouldn't tell me. With the help of his Dad and Marni they built me a changing table from scratch! They used real wood and it is super nice! Since Anthony didn’t get to finish it while he was there his Dad and Marni finished staining it and I am so grateful! It has been so nice to have a place to change diapers. I thought I would not use a changing table that much but it is nice since I have a Tilly dog who likes to sniff sniff sniff.

Tilly has done very good with a baby only is a little sad with the lack of attention but I am sure all older siblings feel that. She hasn't even licked Eisley just looks at her. I think she understands how important Eisley is to us. Thank goodness the transition hasn't been too bad.

I am learning a lot and getting the hang of being a mom. It is sometimes challenging like when we have to go out and she poops 4 times. Changing diapers in the car is kind of difficult especially messy ones! I have been pooped all over and today Anthony got spit up on. I am sure there will be many more times to come of all that! Eisley is growing and is more awake and alert everyday. I gave her her first real bath a couple days ago and she screamed the whole time. Poor thing didn't like being naked. She love loves to be wrapped tight and warm. Today Anthony helped me give a real bath another try and she actually liked it and didn't scream till the very end. Hopefully she will learn to like it more and more. More about being wrapped up, I wanted to talk about an amazing gift I was given at my baby shower. Anthony pulled it out the other day and it is wonderful! A Moby Wrap given by my awesome cousins Angela and Anna! Thank you Thank you! Since Eisley loves to be wrapped up tight she loves it and falls asleep so quick! She likes to fight going to sleep and so when I put her in it bam she is out like a light! Best gift ever! Plus I can walk around and do what I need and when she falls asleep I take her out and put her in her crib. This has made life much easier!

She has been doing really good at night too. She usually only wakes up once. I put her to sleep around 9:30-10pm though. She then will sleep to 2:30 or 3 and then wakes up between 7and 8. I think that is pretty good for only being almost a month old! Hopefully she will be able to sleep longer as she gets older. I am always tired but try to take naps when I can. I am so grateful for her and especially Anthony. He helps out and will always change her diaper when I ask. He helps out more on the weekends because I don't want him to be tired for work and school. He is already the best Dad!

This is how Eisley sleeps. According to doctors, and all the papers from the hospital babies are supposed to sleep on their backs. However the first few days home from the hospital she wouldn't sleep well and this is the only way she will sleep. If she lays on her back she wakes up. She is just like her daddy! It has been fun to have a sweet little spirit in our home and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives! :)

Eisley Joy Hall

2011-12-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

Yay my pregnancy is over!! I tell you it is the best feeling ever to finally feel good again! Here is the story of Eisley's arrival into this world. I know this is long but I wanted it written down for myself. I went for my doctors appointment on Friday Dec 16th. I hadn't progressed since the last Tuesday and so he stripped my membranes and called the hospital to schedule my inducement for the next morning at 9. I was so excited and nervous and felt like I had to get everything done. I think Anthony thought I was going crazy. I called my mom and she came to the valley. I told her it might not be for awhile because Dr. Layton said the Hospital was really backed up so to call before I could go in. Well my mom got here and I was having contractions but nothing that hurt.

Then Saturday morning I called the hospital they said they were full and would call me back. Anthony, my mom, and I went shopping, we walked walked walked, went to lunch, went to the Temple lights and the whole day I was having a lot of contractions still nothing that hurt. I called back to the hospital twice on Saturday, they said maybe sometime in the night. Oh great so I didn't sleep too well but that was normal for my whole pregnancy.

Sunday morning I called and they said they still had no room for me. I felt like Mary not being able to get into the Inn. I just was grateful I didn't have to deliver in a stable. I just felt like I would never get in. (18 babies were delivered at the hospital on Sat and 15 on Sun I think everyone wanted to get their babies out before Christmas) We went to church and then came home to take a nap. The hospital called while I was asleep and Anthony said Holly get the phone! I woke up and they said to come in! We went in around 6pm and got checked in I had so many nurses the whole time I was there and they were all so nice. I had 8 different nurses! My second one started me on cervidil at 8pm. Ahh night time was horrible! I had all those monitors hooked up to me and I only slept an hour. They were going to start me on Pit at 7 but for the last two hours 5 to 7 I started having really painful contractions. I asked for the epidural before they started Pit! Thank goodness! It makes such a difference and I felt so so much better. The epidural didn't hurt at all and I am so very thankful for it! I waited till 10am and my doctor shows up and I asked to break my water. I was dilated to 4. He did and that is when I started to get sick. Since I hadn't eaten anything I started throwing up and so they gave me Zofran for the nausea and then I got really really itchy. I had a reaction to something and started to get dizzy. I was spinning, itchy all over, and so nauseous. I was having really hard contractions and shaking. My mom asked the nurses to check me at 11:30am and she said no we will check her at 12pm. I felt ready to push at 11:30. Well we waited I think I threw up again and was very sick. The nurse finally checks me and before she does she says that I am probably at 6 or 7 by now...oh no I am at 10! She said you are ready we need to get the doctor. They all run around and Dr. Layton is in surgery and so they grab Dr. Tutt and he gets there a few minutes later. It was funny because my mom grew up with Dr. Tutt. He gave her a big hug when he saw her and they were chatting the whole time catching up. He was super nice and I liked having him deliver Eisley. Right when I needed to start pushing I got so sick. I felt like I was going to pass out and Anthony said I lost all the color in my skin. I felt so light headed and then they gave me oxygen and it made world of a difference. I was able to push and 4 pushes later Eisley came out at 12:22pm! The nurses were all shocked at how quick she came for my first baby! I felt grateful! When she came she wasn't crying and I saw a knot in the umbilical cord and it was wrapped around her neck. Dr. Tutt quickly cut it and they took her get cleaned up and they gave her a little oxygen. She never made a peep and I kept thinking is she okay. Dr. Tutt said she is fine, her color looks good and everything is great. She just laid there and looked around such a good little girl! My mom kept saying she is adorable and I couldn't really see her so I was just watching Anthony. He was teary eyed and I started crying out of joy because it was finally over! I feel blessed in so many ways. Eisley is our little bundle of Joy and I am glad we decided to name her middle name after mine. She is such a good baby. It is an adjustment getting used to having a baby and sleeping whenever I get a chance. Everyone always told me it is so worth it and it is! Our lives have changed but it is a good change and I feel better than I have in 9 months! Here she is all perfect and amazing! We are blessed and in love with her!

This one was at the hospital and the ones below were taken a few days later by my wonderful sister Michelle!

Lastly I want to thank Anthony and my mom for all their help! I couldn't have done it without them and am so grateful for both of them. Thank you for helping me through this long journey!

The Baby Shower!

2011-12-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

I am so grateful for my sisters and mom! They are the best! I had my shower when I was 35 weeks. I am truly grateful for all the people that came and all the cute gifts! It was fun to get out of the house and enjoy the company of so many people I love. Thank you to everyone that came or gave me gifts! I don't think I can thank my sisters and mom enough for all they have done and do for me! Thank you Shawna, Sherice, Michelle, & Mom!

All the food was amazing and I am thankful for all those that helped!

Thanks to Melanie too for her help!

Shawna & little Paityn!

Sherice & Hailey!

Michelle & Hailey!

These three sisters have seriously spoiled me rotten! I feel so blessed to have them in my family!

Thank you!

My wonderful mom crocheted this blanket for me and it is so adorable! Her first blanket!
Thank you mom!

Here is a side profile of my little belly!

My Aunt Delight, Aunt Helen, Cousin Cindy, and my mom! They are the best! Don't they look like sisters? Baby showers are FUN! Especially for little baby girls! I got so many cute outfits and cute things! I am getting excited for her to get here! I am progressing along nicely and think she is going to get here sooner than we think! I am ready for this baby to come out! I have been going to the hospital every week for tests because my doctor wants to monitor the fluid to make sure she is okay since I am so small. Everything has looked good and I am ready to breath normal again! Please come soon baby!

Cheers to being 38weeks today!!

Hunting Season

2011-12-02T14:26:00.000-08:00

Anthony got the pleasure of being drawn for Bull Elk this year! His dad was in town and so he had fun spending time with him. 1st day of the hunt and Anthony shot this little feller. He is small but Anthony said if I shoot something big the first time what will I have to look forward to? Plus I bet he is going to taste much better! I was happy that he killed quick and was able to spend the whole Thanksgiving week with him!

Anthony & TJ

Craig(Anthony's Dad), Grandpa Hall, & Anthony! (Thanks TJ for the pics!)

Spa Day!

2011-11-15T13:13:00.000-08:00

Let me just say that I love the spa. It is so awesome! I wish I could go every single month and get a massage. I love how it is so relaxing and all the workers cater to your ever whim. I am grateful for Tom and his gift to us girls. I wish I still worked at KS and miss it very much, but at least I am still friends with Kara and Sarah!

These two girls are amazing! They bring so much happiness into my life and I enjoy every minute with them! LOVE YOU SARAH and KARA!

Thanks for the fun time girls, a shout out to Tom, and to Kara for providing pics!

This is Halloween! This is Halloween!

2011-11-01T13:12:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween! It is one of my favorite Holidays for some reason. I just love pumpkins, dressing up, parties and lets not forget candy! Unfortunately this hasn't been the most exciting one since we didn't have a party...well we went to the ward trunk or treat and judged the SCREAM contest! Haha it was really funny to see all these little kids screaming so loud! I loved seeing all the costumes! People are creative! Anthony dressed up as a soccer player and I just went as me or you could say a pregnant lady. I wasn't feeling too well due to throwing up again everyday for the last while. :( I was sad not to dress up but oh well there is always next year! Sunday night Anthony and I carved pumpkins! I couldn't miss out on this one. Anthony said thank you to me and I said for what. He said that it was fun and he wouldn't have done it if I hadn't wanted to. We carved two of my favorite things. Batman and Pirates! I carved the skull and crossbones and Anthony carved the batman symbol.

Isn't our door so exciting?! haha we actually had more kids this year than last year which was fun! Even Anthony's little 7 year old sister(She was a cheerleader!) and his mom came to visit too! I think more kids came this year because all the kids in our complex like Anthony and I. They always say HI Spiderman! to Anthony and ask me when I'm having my baby every time they see me. They even hang out in front of our door all the time.

On another note we have been working hard on our house. Anthony is awesome!! He has been crossing things off the honey do list! He has re-stained our vanity, cleaned our outside closet, painted and stained our gate(it closes much better now!), he mopped the floor for me since it is hard for me to bend, and he hung a shelf for me!

BEFORE

AFTER

It was Anthony's first staining project so it is pretty awesome! I am glad it is done and looks oh so much better!

Since I'm saying how great Anthony is I might as well mention that he won a competition at ASU! He entered this Tax Competition for PWC and out of the whole school his group of 5 won $1000 collectively. He brought home a $250 gift card on Friday! Such a blessing and his group's project/presentation video gets sent on to be judged with like 40 other schools. I thought it was pretty sweet! Good Job to Anthony and his Group! :)

3 Years and a baby update!

2011-10-25T14:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary to us! I can't believe it has been 3 years! I feel so blessed to have Anthony in my life and for all that he does for me! I sure am grateful he still makes me laugh everyday. He likes to dance right in front of me all the time and never stops making noises. I think you sure learn a lot from being married and think he is one of the silliest people I've ever met but in reality I would be so so sad if he wasn't here with me! He is such as blessing to me! I love you Anthony Hall!

Well on to a little update about me I guess it is time to post a belly picture...I will be 32 weeks this week. I physically want this baby out so bad! Mentally not so much. I am ready to feel better and feel like my body hasn't ever been through anything this tough so far. I am sick of being sick. This has been challenging physically and emotionally. All I can say is I am grateful for my amazing husband who loves me even when I am mean sometimes, can't cook dinner every night, the laundry gets backed up, the house is a mess, and will still kiss me even though I feel like I've puked a million times(I probably have). He is amazing and I will always be grateful for him. I really think that I would be dead by now without my husband, my mom, and my Heavenly Father. Words cannot express how grateful I am for the support and love I have been given. I know my prayers have been answered when I have felt the lowest of lows. I know that I have the support of the Lord because when I have the worst day ever and feel like I can't possible do this anymore I feel like my burden is lifted the next day. Each day is a new story and a struggle but I am almost to the end. I do not understand why some have it so easy and some have it so hard but each has their own journey to make. It is hard for me not to compare to others but I know I was meant to go through this for a reason which has drawn me closer to Christ and knowing that he is on my side makes it a little bit easier to bear this. I can't wait to meet our little girl and just to hold her for the first time. I know then that all the heartburn, acid re-flux, nausea, throwing up, kicking in the ribs, bacterial infection, cold&cough, dizziness, feeling rotten, discomfort, waking up to pee 10 times in the night and not sleeping well will all have been worth it. Plus to feel better and have a cute little baby from this will make me so happy. :)

sorry it is in the b-room but its the only way to take a pic of my belly. also my hair is not done today but that is nothing new.

Tilly

2011-10-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

I think having a dog has prepared me for kids in a way. I have learned a lot from owning a dog. It was really hard at first with the potty training and not peeing on the carpet. The day we got her she held her pee all day and wouldn't go. I was taking her out every 30 min and then she decided she couldn't hold it anymore. I swear I had never seen so much pee come out of a puppy all over the floor. I even clapped my hands and yelled trying to get her to stop but once she started it just kept coming and I even picked her up and it was still coming out!

The other frustrating thing was her chewing up cords(x-box, computer cords, cell phone cords), pencils(I'm surprised she didn't get lead poisoning, pens(which got all over the carpet and couch...she got out while we weren't home), she has chewed up my make up so many times like eye liner pencils and eye shadow brushes( I am the one to blame since I left my bag or them on the floor), and she ruined my favorite high heals (that heal must have been pretty tasty). Wow I'm glad that stage is over! However she still thinks she has a claim on any small plastic object as hers to chew on and q-tips are her favorite thing to find and chew up.

I learned to never buy stuffed toys for her. I looked away for two seconds and this is what I find.

Notice the stuffing is hanging from her mouth. Guilty!

Whenever she has done something wrong all she wants to do is cuddle and tell me sorry. I just can't help but love her. She has her weaknesses like when people come over she gets soooo excited and can't control her noise level or jumping. We are working on it still. I have to keep her in her kennel because I'm afraid people will get scrapped by her front nails. I am worried about her being too excited with a baby. Anthony says we will have to keep working with her. If she can do tricks like sit, stay, twirl, shake, hi five, roll over, play dead, beg and bow I think we can teach her to calm down. Tilly is fun to take to the dog park and she is always so eager to play, go on walks, and meet new people/dogs. Her all time favorite toy is the laser. Even if she hears the click to turn it on she is ready to chase it!

I can't help but love my brown eyed girl and I am grateful for all the experiences she has taught me to be a little prepared to have this baby. I know its not the same thing or close but maybe just a little it has helped change me into a more patient person and serving towards others needs.

Rant about Ants

2011-08-31T22:03:00.000-07:00

I hate ants! They have given me so much grief every summer we've lived at our townhouse. Well that is only two summers but hey they are the worst little beasts ever! Let me explain. Last summer it was dusk outside and I was chatting to my neighbor just outside my door on the sidewalk. I had been talking for a little while and then I felt them....bite bite bite! AHhhhhh the worst pain! Now let me give you a little detail on these ants that live here, they are RED and very little. Smaller than the normal small ants. They have a killer bite that my body has a bad reaction to. First they sting really bad and then within minutes they swell to about the size of a nickle then swell to about the size of a plum. I got bit last summer 11 times by these beasties! All over my toes and ankles! I was rubbing creams on them all day and couldn't sleep at night because they throb and itch so bad! Well after a week they finally stopped itching but red little pus bumps formed and stayed for a couple more weeks. The dots stayed for a few more weeks after that. Horrible experience and so I have been very cautious since those 11 bites. However I guess this summer I haven't been cautious enough.

My ant story begins once we got back from Oregon. I was upstairs in the hallway and picked up a plastic bag. Bite bite ahhhhhh! I look down to see little black ants all over my bare feet! I screamed and Anthony got the vacuum and we started vacuuming tons of ants. (Little black ant bites are not that bad they only sting at the beginning and then itch a little but after a day they are just little marks that don't itch.) So these ants decided to make a trail from the inside of my wall to the other wall across the hallway. After some major vacuuming and bait poison they finally left the hallway after a few days. Well they didn't leave the house they found their way downstairs across the floor a huge trail. I swear they just popped out of thin air because I was sitting on the couch with no ants on the floor then I look and see an ant crawling on the couch! Then to look on the floor to see it covered! By this point I was freaking out because I was determined not to get bit again. Anthony and I went and bought some bug spray and sprayed our whole house and outside. The ants died instantly and haven't come back. We have been ant free except for every sidewalk around and all the grass outside. On Monday I was taking Tilly out and saw my next door neighbor. They have two dogs that are Tilly's friends so I let Tilly off her leash and let them run around. I started talking to neighbor and looked down and realized ooops too late I was standing on an ant trail. Little black ones so not too bad but I got bit four times. Dang ants! Then yesterday I went to take Tilly out again and was watching my feet and stamping. I saw no ants so I step to pick up Tilly's business and bite bite! I could already tell from the bite that this was no black ant attack. I was so angry. Two seconds and I get bit by stupid little RED ants! Once on the toe and once on the ankle. Last night was hard to fall asleep because they itched and throbbed so much and lets add that I can't sleep very well anyways being pregnant. I wake up at 3:40am and had to get up to rub itching cream all over them just so I could fall asleep again. My ankle has been swollen, throbbing all day and itchy. I just have to rant about these dang ants and can't understand why they bite me! I am getting afraid to go outside and told Anthony I want him to spray bug spray everywhere outside. I have officially decided I hate ants more than mosquitoes and I hate them pretty bad. So to ALL the ants outside LEAVE ME ALONE!

Here is my bite about 1 min after it bit me.

Here is the bite today. It is from my cell phone so not a very good picture but see the huge red area that is swollen? It itches and throbs so bad and it has gone down a little.
Yes that is an ant bite. :( Imagine 11 of them. I'm so glad it was only two this time!
I might just have to wage war on these evil creatures!

A quick trip that happened to take place in Oregon

2011-08-20T17:07:00.000-07:00

Oregon is beautiful! I loved every minute of it and enjoyed our trip! We stayed with Anthony's little sister Kelsey and Kasen his brother. It was really fun to see a place so green and spend time with them.

Our first day there we cooked hamburgers and went on a little walk around their neighborhood, to the park and to see the schools.

The next day we went to the mall and I bought some new kicks because I needed better shoes for all the walking we were planning on doing and I'm so glad I did!

We then stopped by a river to have an Ice cream picnic!

Kelsey and her boyfriend Tanner! It was fun to meet Tanner and have him with us.

It was pretty hot outside and Kelsey decided to jump in the freezing water!

Soon everyone followed except me so I just took pictures.

See I was there! Oh and my little belly was too!

They had fun but I was glad I didn't get in once they got out soaking wet. We didn't have towels either so they had to air dry but I don't think they got dry by the time we got home.

The gang! Anthony, Kasen, Kelsey, and Tanner!

The next day we drove to the coast. In Forence they had Sandboarding and the guys all did it. It was really fun to see because I had never heard of it before. It looks hot in these pictures but it was actually cold and really windy.

Did I mention that I even went down a little hill? haha it was so fun!

I have never been snowboarding so it was a fun experience.

After that we drove to Honeyman's lake and the guys Sandboarded some more and went swimming. The water was actually pretty warm but it was cold because of the wind.

Anthony has a really bad farmers tan from working outside in

Texas all summer but he is still so cute!

Kasen in the Sand!

After the lake we went to the coast and saw the Ocean!

It is beautiful but I was surprised at how cold it is and windy.

Then we found Hobbit Trail and hiked down to Hobbit Beach!

I loved every single minute of this trail and was fascinated by all the trees and beauty.

I don't think pictures can show just how amazing it was.

Once we got to the beach we found this beauty of a lookout! Perfect spot for a fire and dinner. While everyone hiked back up to the car to get supplies I got to sit and enjoy this beautiful world. The sun was hitting the waves and the fog was coming up out of the sea. I love the Ocean. I just wished that it was warmer but it was still amazing to be there.

Me waiting for everyone to get back just looking out over the ocean.

Before our fire and after once Anthony and Kasen got it started.

We ate hot dogs and a fire wouldn't be complete without roasted marshmellows and starbursts!

Anthony said that it was one of his top five moments in life! It was pretty spectacular!

The next day we relaxed and went to the Saturday market. Hippies, Dreds, Tie dye, and people everywhere. It was awesome! I enjoyed seeing all different kinds of people and cool things people were selling and the music playing.

We also went to Off the Waffle for lunch and it was delicious!

The last day we were there we went on a bike ride along and over the river.

I did pretty well and didn't get too tired.

Thank you Kristy, Kelsey, Kasen, and Gracee for letting us stay with you!

We had so much fun and would love to go back and visit again soon!

90% Girl!

2011-07-18T16:03:00.000-07:00

We have the best families! Anthony, his dad, and Tilly came to Snowflake for a week to spend time with Anthony's brother, sister, and me. It was great to have him with me again. 43 days is a long time! We had fun and the best part was that I am feeling oh so much better! I am still getting shots everyday which helps me to not throw up and it has been so nice not to. When I stop the shots I start throwing up again. It is weird. I felt like we were go go going the whole time this week but since I've been in bed for two months it was nice to get up and do something. We went to the movies, watched some more movies, Kelsey worked on a sweet quilt for her boyfriend, we played games, had a fire and roasted marshmallows and starbursts. Anthony went golfing, and Kasen shot a few rabbits. We went go-carting, goofy golfing, lit a few firecrackers, and just had fun together!

Plus the big news part of our week.... we went to the doctor on Friday! Since my insurance hasn't gone through yet the doctor only did a quick ultrasound but we found out its a GIRL!!!! I was beaming and I think Anthony was in shock. He wanted it to be a boy. He was telling everyone we were just going to confirm that it is a boy. I was totally thinking that the baby was a boy! So that was really fun to find out what is inside of me and to see her little hands. I think it is one of the coolest experiences to see a human inside of me. She is fun to feel her little flicks and kicks inside. I feel like i'm finally starting to show. I have a tiny little belly!

After visiting my wonderful friends and having some good hugs we went back to Snowflake. Craig, Kelsey, and Kasen made me a cake!! Since my ultrasound was only a quick one the doctor didn't want to say with 100% that it is a girl and so they made a cake to tell the story. Haha! He said 90% sure it was a girl!

Here are a few pictures from our week together!

Anthony left to Texas and instead of a cowboy he came back a golfer. Like his new hat?

Anthony left back to Texas today to work for a couple more weeks. Kasen went with them and is super excited! Kelsey flew back to Oregon and it was sad to say goodbye to all of them! However more exciting news we are going to fly back with Kasen to Oregon!!! I am sooo excited to visit their home. I have been wanting to go there for a long long time. We get to have a little vacation! In the mean time I am going to have some fun in Snowflake for the 24th Celebration and birthday parties! Bring on the fun times!

A very long post about Me

2011-05-30T10:40:00.000-07:00

This year has probably been one of the hardest I’ve ever had. I am not very good at writing my emotions so it probably will not sounds all that hard but believe me it has been hard. I will start from the beginning. In January I was let go from my job. (From lack of work) I loved my job, well loved more than hated. I never dreaded going to work and actually enjoyed making maps, printing, taking pictures, typing over jobs, and really enjoyed the people. With all those things it made leaving really hard. I cried a lot and have missed working there. I felt so lost and wanted a job with everything exactly the same. All I wanted was to go back.

Every day of my unemployment I looked for jobs and felt like it was hopeless (I jump to conclusions a little too fast!). I ended up going to 3 interviews and was only jobless for 2.5 weeks which is pretty awesome considering my next door neighbor was unemployed for six months and applied to over 80 jobs. First of all I owe this all to people who care for me. All interviews were from recommendations. It really pays off with who you know! For my first interview I was so nervous and didn’t want to go because I was so nervous. Also it was too far of a drive that I wouldn’t want to drive everyday to Phoenix so I didn’t really want the job but was good experience. The lady talked to me for an hour! I had to be the one to end the interview. It was weird she was like all buddy buddy with me then never called me back. The second was from my brother’s recommendation and I was nervous as always but it went well. They sounded like they really wanted me and turns out they did. I accepted the job which was in Tempe and only part time but right after I said I would take the Job I got a call from my cousin’s husband and I landed myself another interview the day I was supposed to start at the other job. I called the Tempe job and told them I wanted to go to this interview and see how things went before I started working. They understood and I went to the interview. It went very well and I knew I could do everything the job required. The people seemed very nice and it was only 10 min away from my house! They offered the job to me and I felt very lucky since they had like 150 people send in resumes and interviewed 5. I accepted the job and had to call the Tempe job and tell them. I felt bad but knew I was supposed to take this job.

I started working on Feb 9^th at an Accounting Firm in Mesa as the receptionist/secretary/front desk. It was the most interesting experience and I learned very valuable lessons. I feel like I’m the behind the scene sort of person. I don’t like being the first person everyone sees and I’m shy. This job was completely out of my comfort zone but I’m grateful for my time that I was there even though it was a hard time for me. I would come home to cry through my whole lunch hour and come home after work and cry. All I wanted was to go back to my previous job. Everyone told me it would get better. I don’t want to say anything bad but let’s just say someone would put me down and point out all my mistakes in front of everyone else multiple times. I just felt stupid so many times but when you are learning something new it takes a little while to learn it all and they have been there forever it is easy for them. Also a couple of my bosses were A Type personalities and I’m not even close to that so it was very different working for them. Things did get better as I got more comfortable and I have come to learn some accountants are kind of crazy. I found out that Tax season is crazy busy and understand a little of what they go through. Well if you are still with me you might be wondering why I’m not working there anymore. I felt horrible that I had to quit the way I did.

I have the gained the biggest amount of sympathy towards women. You see I’m PREGNANT! Wow that is weird to say! I think that this month of May has been the hardest in my life and in my whole marriage. The dreaded morning sickness began on April 27^th and it is still going. I haven’t felt like myself for a long time. Hence the reason I had to quit my job without a two week notice was that I was throwing up and so weak that there was no way I could sit at a front desk in a nice office and answer phones all day. The bathroom was too far away to make it to it and I am so glad that I quit. I have felt half dead this whole month. I didn’t want to take drugs and I have thrown up every pill I take. I felt like Captain Jack Sparrow when he is on land walking like he is drunk. I felt like I was on a boat rocking, swaying, and dizzy. I finally went to a Naturopathic Doctor and have found some relief in homeopathic medicine. It hasn’t stopped the throwing up but it has helped me feel like I’m on land again.

Yesterday Anthony and Tilly left to Texas. I was going to go with them but I am so glad I have stayed. My mom is taking care of me in Snowflake and it is fun to be here with my family. I am so proud of Anthony! He has finished MCC!! He landed 4.0’s in every semester and is headed off to ASU in August! He is such a hard worker and I am so grateful for him. He left to Texas to work for the summer with his Dad remodeling an old ranch house. I hope to join him when I’m feeling a little better. He has been amazing to me throughout this time. He has made me breakfast every morning, cleaned, cooked, grocery shopping, and done anything I have asked. I couldn’t ask for a better husband. I love him so much!

I know my life could be a lot worse but because of all the help and love from my family I feel so blessed. I still have had some good times this year like spring break and two of my best friends have had babies. Congrats to Sarah and Melanie! Their little babies are adorable!

Well now you all know why I’m such a bad blogger. I first off didn’t want to post about losing my job, then about the job I didn’t like, and then about being terribly sick. Plus I have no pictures but no one wants to see me right now looking tired, weak, and in my PJs all day. Yay to being pregnant! :)

Our March was full of one lovely mustache!

2011-04-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

For Spring Break Craig and Marni came from Texas, Kelsey & Kasen came from Oregon! Marni's girls came from Springerville. We all met in Snowflake and it was great fun! We ate good food, played games, went shooting, and just loved being together. I have enjoyed getting to know Anthony's brother and sister better and Marni's girls!

Silly Kasen! He is so much fun!

Two brothers. They are so silly together and you can definitely tell they are brothers the way they act around each other.

Awww!

Meet Mustachio Antonio Marcho. Anthony loved growing a mustache for March!

Doesn't he look fabulous?

Anthony's two sweet sisters. Emma and Kelsey! Emma came over to visit for a little while. She is a little ball of fire, you tell by her awesome orange hair.

The Family Picture. There are 10 of us wow!

Such a cute family!

Beautiful Girls

Who looks stronger? The boys or girls?

We had so much fun spending time with everyone! We wished it could have been longer but enjoyed having everyone together. I love being around everyone because we are always laughing. I think that is the best part about Anthony's family!

A Wedding!

2011-04-04T20:40:00.000-07:00

Anthony's Dad recently got married... well a few days before Christmas. It was fun to be there and see Marni and Craig get hitched! Here are a few pictures we took of the family! I am so grateful for these two people. Craig has always been so nice to me and calls me just to check up on me especially when I'm having a hard time with anything. It has been really fun to get to know Marni better. She is such a nice person and always willing to help and never says anything bad. I love how they both enjoy what Anthony calls, "old junk." Old bottles and stuff like that. They recently went to Tombstone and got me an old bottle and jar. I love them! I feel like I'm always laughing when I am around them and maybe that's why I enjoy their company!

Congratulations to Craig and Marni!

Marni has the sweetest four girls! I think they are beautiful and have loved getting to know them!

They are my step-sisters now!

We are missing Kelsey and Kasen in these pictures! We were so so sad they couldn't make it

but were thinking about them all day!

We had an enjoyable Christmas! Anthony is a difficult person to buy a gift for. He said he didn't need anything and he didn't want anything. I kept bugging him everyday and he finally picked an Amazon Kindle which is really cool! I got a Bamboo Fun! I really enjoy Christmas and being with family and giving gifts. I look forward to Christmas every year! Plus December has my Birthday :) Anthony surprised me with a beautiful ring and necklace! He is amazing! Lets just say I love December!

The Whole Month of October!

2010-11-02T19:42:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't posted in a long time! So to catch up here is a post for the whole month of October.

At the beginning of the month I made a trip without Anthony and Tilly to Snowflake to spend the weekend with my parents. I had a blast! It is rare that I get my parents all to myself when I go visit. I rode my horse, watched conference, helped my mom in the garden, and just enjoyed the cool weather. Here are a few pictures of the beautiful sunset!

The field looked like gold! It was amazing!

Digging up carrots is hard work! I loved being able to work

outside in the dirt and talk with my mom.

The sad news of the month was my sweet Ginger passed away. :( It was a very hard day (lots of crying). I had said goodbye to her on this trip to Snowflake and so when she went I felt like at least I said goodbye and now she is happy. She was 12 years old and in a lot of pain from old age. She was the best dog! I got her as a puppy when I was in 5th grade and I miss her. I hope you are having fun in Heaven Ginger but I don't think there are any cars to chase. (that was her favorite thing to do)

In Mesa on the 5th we had this crazy storm! The hail was huge!

When Anthony gets his mind set on something he can't stop till he finishes and so he gets this crazy idea to make a Halo helmet. Nerd! Haha however it was pretty cool to see him actually make it and fun to help him.

Here is the helmet on the screen.

Here is his finished product! Pretty cool eh?

On 10.25.10 We celebrated 2 YEARS of being married! Happy Anniversary to us! We went to dinner at Bandera in downtown Scottsdale and had some yummy ice cream at Sugar Bowl! :) Sadly I am terrible at taking pictures so we didn't get any but we had a good time.

On to the HALLOWEEN PARTY! I love Halloween! Maybe its because I can act like a little kid and get dressed up! I had been wanting to have a Halloween party ever since we got married but it never has happened. So I was so excited to have this party! Here are some of my decorations!

Do you like me as a pirate? Arg!

Doesn't Anthony make the perfect Nerd? He said all he did was put on
his clothes for the day and he was in his costume! haha

Emily Tunnel, Ren Mario, Craig Luigi, and Sarah Tunnel! I just love this! Awesome Costumes!

The Guys!

The Girls!

Tilly watching. She loves to rest her head like this and watch me from the stairs.

On Halloween Night Anthony had to work sadness! However it was his last day at Venezia's Pizza! No more nights! I'm ecstatic about this! I get to have him home and he wont miss out on fun. When he got home from work we finally carved our pumpkins. Mine is the Bat (because Batman rocks) Anthony's is the Headless Horseman. I'm sad that October is over but it was great fun!

fairy lights

2010-08-04T12:21:00.000-07:00

my fairy drawing. just imagine there are legs because i never quite got around to them.

24th Celebration!

2010-07-26T20:51:00.001-07:00

I love going home even if it means a different bed, waking up at the crack of dawn, or crazy kids screaming and running around. I love how beautiful Snowflake is and the best part is to be with family.

This morning was so delightful. I love overcast weather.

The Parade was fun to watch, visit and see all the happy children. It is awesome seeing people you haven't seen in a long time!

At the Parade sitting next to Michelle and below with Shawna at the birthday party for Jaxon, Kaden, Hailey, and Piper.

These girls are amazing! I love them both so much and am grateful to have them as my sisters.

We took family pictures! I now have 15 nieces and nephews! Fun Fun Times! I should have taken more pictures but we were able to spend time with Anthony's Dad and Marni! We miss them! Also we spent time with his mom and little sister Emma. Tilly had a blast running around with the kids and has been so tired all day today. I get sad when we have to say goodbye to everyone and come back to this horrible heat! At least we cooled down for the weekend! I can't wait till next trip to home.

Little Fingers

2010-07-20T14:26:00.000-07:00

Last week my brother and sister-in-law welcomed their first baby! She is adorable!

I love holding her and I am so happy to have another niece!

Congrats Scott & Sherice on your beautiful EmmaLyn!

Sweet Sweetness!

2010-07-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

When I go home to my parents's house I like to dig through old stuff and find treasures. I get so excited when I find things that were my Grandma's. When my Grandma passed my mom got some odd and ends of her things. Like some of her Jewelry, materials to make dolls, and some rocks. (She was a rock collector!) I'm sure she got other things but those are the things I remember the most. I found this a long time ago but love wearing it. I know its cheap and lots of the diamond green rocks are missing but because it was hers I just love it.

Also in my rummaging I found these cool buttons. I wanted to make them into earrings so I cut off the back part that made them buttons. Bought earring blanks from Hobby Lobby and TA DA!

Then I wanted to make some rings. Take a cool button, ring blank, and some glue to make fabulous! I love them!

Bouncing Beagle

2010-07-06T16:10:00.000-07:00

This was camping at Bear Lake. We call this the Bouncing Beagle!

She makes me laugh. Whenever Tilly gets excited, sees a big field of grass, or gets off her leash this is what happens. She was tired by this point but imagine this running around times 10 and trying to chase after her when she is this crazy! haha

go fetch video

2010-06-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

We made our first stop motion picture video.
Anthony created the little man and I created the pet snail.
Clay is fun!

basking in the rays

2010-06-09T14:24:00.000-07:00

My family went camping memorial day weekend to Bear Canyon Lake and I forgot my nice camera! I was so sad but thankfully I still had my little one. Here are a few shots from the trip!

I love the light shining through the leaves!

Down in this raveen we found an old broken well.

Reflection in a pool of water from snow run off

Tanner, Tilly, Hailey, & my wonderful mother!

Our last day we went fishing. Anthony caught two! He's one fish up on me now!

Us Camping! Thanks Shawna for the picture!

A New Job!

2010-03-18T23:23:00.000-07:00

Anthony got a new job! Very exciting! He was getting really tired of his old job and terrible hours. Personally I hated having him work 3 to11pm wednesday thursday friday and not getting home till almost midnight. Now he is a pizza delivery boy! haha He likes this new job and driving around places plus tips are nice. Also it works with his school schedule. If anyone wants some really delicious pizza/wings check it out here at Venezia's Pizzeria! (He works at the North Mesa location just to let you know) Happy Eating Pizza!

that name of mine

2010-02-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

When you tell your name to people do they sort of giggle or cough out a chuckle? Well I get it all the time.

I am so used to it that I actually laugh with them and proceed to tell them a little about it. My whole life everyone has called me Hol and I went and married a Hall. Hol Hall sounds funny, a mouth full, so when I say my name to people I pronounce it as clear as I can, Holly Hall.

I met this old lady at church and she asked me my name and I told her. She started laughing and said, “Well you don’t hear that every day! That should be easy to remember!” Well the next time I see her she had forgotten my name and I smiled telling her again, she laughed saying “Oh that’s right,” and continued laughing. Wow I’m thinking is my name really that bad? But she then says, “That is so cute, Holly Hall!” She hasn’t forgotten my name since.

I like my name even if people giggle at it. Maybe that is why my middle name is Joy. When I was little I never liked telling people my middle name but Anthony always has called me Holly Joy when he wrote letters and notes to me. Since then I have loved it everyday!

Oh have I ever told you about my few nicknames? They are not crazy ones or strangely different from my name but I do have them. I have always been called Hollis, Hollars and Hollar. Then I was dubbed Holls Balls by the girls at work. At first I hated that one but now I think it is funny. Last is my pirate name! I love pirates! Always have since my dad would tell me pirate stories and when I read Treasure Island and Peter Pan. My brother Scott dubbed my name since he is the pirate Capitan Neck Beard. My name is Jolly Joy Roger! Anyways let just say I love my name!

I can't tell you how excited I was to see this Restaurant! (We didn't eat there, pirate food doesn't sound all that great haha)

feeling the breeze

2010-02-06T21:19:00.000-08:00

Last night I went to first friday in downtown Phx with my cousins Melanie and Julie! I think anyone who is artsy in anyway should go at least once. It is fun to see all the interesting and creative people who gather together. I love seeing how innovative people are with all forms of art.

Today we deep cleaned the whole house but somehow it feels like we didn't even clean. Looking at all the dog toys on the ground, school books and homework papers, mail on the couch and laundry still waiting to be washed. Well I guess it makes me feel good that it is clean underneath it all.

The best part of my day was going on a drive to Scottsdale with Anthony and Tilly. We took the long way to our destination on side streets. It is fun to take small roads and not freeways. I enjoyed watching Tilly sniffle in the wind.

weekends are the best! :)

love notes have fun too

2010-01-07T21:29:00.000-08:00

Meet Mr. Sticky Note Man and the Mrs. :)

Can't you tell? They are in love.

bright lights

2009-12-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

This Christmas was great! My whole family was there on Christmas Night! It was fun to have all of my siblings and their kids. We had good food, presents, and games! I love when everyone is there. It can be really loud and a bit crazy but it is fun! I love how Christmas trees are kind of like a big mess. They are an assortment of random things and I love it.

This is all the Grandkids stockings minus the newest addition Gracie.

We had a Nativity enactment on Christmas Eve. We didn't have everyone there at the time hence the few actors!

We aslo had a reindeer contest. Three groups and we had to turn someone into a reindeer using nylons, balloons, wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, and tinsel. It was hilarious. The little reindeer on the left Madi was my groups. Hailey was in the middle and Anthony volunteered to be the reindeer for his group. haha and I got to unwrap him in the end!

The best part probably was Hailey wrapped me up as a present using her reindeer outfit. haha this picture was only halfway wrapped. By the end I couldn't even see I had so much tinsel on me.

Oh and to let you see. This is our new house! Well townhouse and we love it! I'll show inside pics soon!

leap into the wind

2009-11-12T22:14:00.000-08:00

Guess what? We bought a Townhouse! YAY! Too bad it has needed tons of fixing up and cleaning! It has been a project for sure. I have been so tired spending every moment washing, cleaning, painting, sanding, etc. So to get my mind off all the working here are some colors and moments from the past few weeks!

a cloudy blue gray sky always makes me happy

orange pumpkins!

yellow rose petals

burnt orange (sarah's lovely bouquet)

Sarah is beautiful and I couldn't be more happy for her!

I'm so glad she has joined the married world!

Love you Sarah!!

a white temple

a sweet puppy who has fallen in love with Anthony's long board

sunshine and trees

so good after church on sunday

lastly my grandma zelia's journal of when she was around 16 to19. I have been typing it and have felt her joys, pains, and laughed out loud. She will always make me smile.

unbelievably happy :)

2009-10-25T19:29:00.000-07:00

WOW! I can't believe we have been married a year! I feel like it has been forever! We have dated for a long time before getting married. We started dating in 2005 and have been together since. However we sure had our hardships along the way. Such as Anthony leaving to go to school and leaving on a mission for two years. We somehow still loved each other through being apart! Absence makes the heart grow fonder! Here is to us through the years!

2005

Anthony's Graduation 2005

Talking on chat while he was at BYU.

We were always at the computer or on the phone.

Anthony's wall in his dorm

My senior prom! (I saved the last dance for Anthony. He is so romantic!)

My graduation! 2006 (hat hair!)

This is me missing Anthony on his mission! Hailey, my niece, drew the cardboard picture of us getting married! haha so cute!

YAY! He came home and it was the best feeling ever!

Dating all over again was so much fun!

2008

Getting engaged sure was awesome too!

This was my favorite moment on our wedding day! It was our first moment alone and married.

I felt so peaceful and happy to be with Anthony!

I love him!

HAPPY ONE YEAR TO US! OCT. 25, 2009!

two beagles and a color change

2009-10-08T21:52:00.001-07:00

Meet my toy Beagle. When I was little I used to think he could fly with his ears (sometimes I secretly think Tilly can fly when I'm not looking.) Since my toy Beagle (for Beagle was his name) meant so much to me I wanted to introduce him to Tilly.

They became pals right away!

Tilly gave Beagle kisses...

and chewed on his ear.

Tilly loved Beagle so much that....I had to take him away (she might have eaten him!) haha She was kind of sad her buddy left but to me Tilly is my beagle who came to life! Maybe that is why I loved the story of The Velveteen Rabbit.

On another note I finally did it! I have always wanted brown hair but been too chicken to go through with it. So look at my progression:

engagement photo...extremely blonde

Added some brown

and ooh la laa there I am. BROWN. (not the best pic, but you get the point) I've yet to take any decent pictures. I love being brown. Anthony says I'm artificially intelligent now. haha just kidding. It is fun and thanks to Kara (my co-worker, I sit next to all day for 8 hours, my friend, and my hair stylist...she is amazing!)

a walk to the white shack

2009-09-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite places in all the world is home. It's where I spent all of my childhood running up to the barn and playing for hours with no shoes on. That was probably the best part because I hate wearing shoes. By the end of the summer my feet were so hard from rocks & stickers. Melanie and I know the art of running full speed on rocks. We (as in my cousins and I) used to spend our time all day up at the barn playing until the sun started to go down. Every place had a name such as the sandrock, the haybarn, the hill, the tank. I love taking Anthony with me up to the barn and telling him about all the fun times like playing in the hay and playing pirates on the trailers & tractors. Well a couple weekends ago Anthony, Tilly, & I went on a walk to the barn.

The barn & haybarn.

My beautiful Miss Pretty (Pretty Miss Mills) I love her.

The White Shack....well it is not so white anymore. This shack was always a mystery to me because it was off limits. I never knew what was inside until I found out a few years ago.

Opening the lock to find...a place full of old treasures!

See what I mean by treasures? Old books! Love love!

It was a fun walk to the barn! Every time I go home it is always special!

a delightful visit with a lovely lady

2009-09-10T21:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I wish time would move faster and other times I wish it would slow down. I have had a lot of time to think lately since Anthony started working till 11pm wed-fri(Anyone want to do something let me know!) and on these days I wish time would move faster. When Anthony is home I wish it would slow down and so the thought came into mind while having the most lovely dinner last night. I must say that I had the Greatest 5th Grade Teacher ever! My mom and I went to dinner with Mrs. G! Nina recently moved here and she was incredibly happy to have some friends to go to dinner with! When I first saw her I hardly recognized her because when you haven't seen a person in 10ish years it can be difficult to recognize them. I gave her a big hug and said "I'm bigger than you!" haha kind of a silly thing to say but in 5th grade your teacher is bound to be taller than you. Nina is the sweetest lady and I can't wait for the next visit to see her! She is amazing let me tell you a little about her. She has recently had two brain aneurysms and so her being alive and well is a miracle. She made me realize that we should make the most of our time and to be positive. I remember her class to be challenging and A LOT of memorizing! She is a runner and so she would make the class go running on the track every Friday and we all hated it(well maybe it was just me). She even made us go when there was ice on the ground. I remember having fun in her class and Dana moving there. Dressing up for our Christmas play and reciting our poems. She also pounded the Revolutionary War into our brains and learning the 50 states and capitals! Our dinner also made me realize I can and should be a friend to everyone! I'm grateful for Nina Goodwin and for the lovely lady she is! I had a wonderful time!

the desert is hot

2009-09-03T11:56:00.000-07:00

It sometimes is amazing when i stop for a moment just to look around me. i see this everyday at the building next door, but until the other day i had never really looked up.
i wish sometimes i could block out all the cars and buildings(they can be distracting)...i wonder why i live in the city? At least this place has some beautiful skies even if it is 120 degrees!

the other day i discovered what is wrong with me...i thought for awhile i might be crazy but now i know i have what is called cold urticaria or in other words i'm allergic to the cold. Yes that is a real thing! every time i get into cold water i get hives, or if my body gets too cold i get really itchy. so i have decided even though i hate the heat here at least i dont have hives all the time from being cold! YAY i'm not crazy!

beauty all around

2009-08-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

going through my old pictures i found these treasures! Europe is amazing i must say.

The canals in Amsterdam.

Berlin

on a train to Holland, i snapped this out the window.

someday i will go back for sure...secretly i wish to live in Holland one day.

my favorite.

2009-08-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of obsessed with Studio Ghibli Films.....As you can see my collection keeps growing. Each one of these movies holds a special place in my heart. They make me happy because they are simple and the most amazingly artistic movies I have ever seen. Spirited Away was the first Studio Ghibli film I saw... my first thought was this is kind of crazy but because it was different I loved it. I enjoy the morals behind the stories and what each character accomplishes. Another thing that is great about these movies is that it is something Anthony and I share a love for! haha (He used to watch Spirited Away every night in high school) I bought him Princess Mononoke for christmas in 2004 I believe and for christmas 2005 we bought each other Porco Rosso. Great minds think alike! hah (we have two of those!) I definitely recommend the Disney Sudio Ghibli films for little kids! They are so cute! I love love them!
I love this puppy! We were going on a ride to Petsmart. She keeps me company since I hardly see Anthony during the week. He started school and works late. Its fun to have her around and she has been doing really well. Puppy training classes are going great!

A spark of inspiration

2009-08-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Don't these somehow inspire the imagination?

Imagination is the living power and prime agent of all human perception.

by:

SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE

Out in the Woods

2009-07-29T15:13:00.000-07:00

This past week I went camping for the whole week with my family. Anthony had to stay home for his nursing assistant class and for work. So I had some fun out in the woods with Tilly. Going camping for a week is kind of a long time without civilization especially a shower! It was rough not having Anthony with me because it was our first time since we've been married that we've been apart. However it was still fun playing cards, going on walks with all the grandkids(I seriously went on so many of them), picking wild strawberries(they were delicious!), being with my family, listening to the forest, watching Tilly have the time of her life, sitting around the fire listening to stories, and just enjoying nature. Camping is dirty yet pretty fun!

HOME SWEET HOME for a whole week!

Tilly loved camping. She was filthy we had to bath her twice and she still has sap on her. I feel bad though because she has been so bored this week. She will just sit there and look at me saying "I need something!" with those deep eyes. Its just too hot to go outside for very long with her.
But isn't she so cute?

Hailey my niece used weeds, flowers, and ferns to make a crown, necklace, and tu-tu. Haha it was funny but Tilly wouldn't wear it for too long.

Once Anthony came for saturday and sunday it was really fun! He got lost finding our camp at 1 in the morning. He drove like 20 miles back and forth just looking for it. He missed the 3 plate signs we had up. I'm glad he finally found us though! Here he is with Kannon!

Tilly & Rosco(Michelle's Puppy)

Camping sure is an Adventure!

Kelsey & Kasen!

2009-07-27T16:16:00.000-07:00

Anthony's half brother & sister came to visit us! We had a blast seeing them! Kelsey is so beautiful and Kasen is so full of energy! I loved being able to see them and I know Anthony loved it too since we both haven't see them for over 3 years!

With Grandpa Hall! He is so funny and I love being around him!

Grandma and Grandpa

The Hall Family! Notice how Tilly is included in our picture.

We love you both so much! Please come and visit again!

Wind Gumballs & A Wedding

2009-06-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

I snaped this safely inside the car to show Anthony and the Wind. He seems to be enjoying it, while on the other hand...

I am not having too much fun with my wild Hair!

SCOTT & SHERICE MILLS! MARRIED! YAY!

The Gumballs were a big hit!

And can i just say these were delicious! Amazing Cupcakes!

Congrats scotty boy and sherice! I'm soooo happy for you both!! Love you!

our little one

2009-06-23T16:52:00.001-07:00

Meet Tilly.

Our little puppy of wildness!

She is always full of energy and loves to play! I can hardly get cute picture! (oh and can you see ginger in the back ground? she is my old 10 year old dog...i replaced her... now i'll try not to be too sad when she goes away to heaven)

We sure love our little beagle!

Poison Ball

2009-06-15T15:20:00.001-07:00

I love these boys! haha Last tuesday Anthony and I babysat for my brother and sister in law. I had so much fun watching them play and playing with them! They are so full of energy i can barely keep up! I dont know how you do it Kari!

Well Jaxon and Kaden wanted us to play Poison Ball! Dont touch the four balls on the tramp or your out! (Only for five seconds according to the boys haha!)

Conner is so cute! I couldn't help taking a picture of him standing there watching them jump! I think is favorite part was playing soccer. Boy he sure does love to kick that ball!

Then we played CRACK THE EGG! The boys needed my help to crack Anthony open! haha

Then they wanted Anthony to bounce them!

Jaxon & Kaden kept wanting him to do it over and over! They even wanted me to do it, but it sure takes a lot of energy to bounce them high!

They are so sweet and love to play! We had so much fun but after telling a few bedtime stories(Jack and the Beanstalk...I found they could tell it better than me...Brian informed me that he got so sick of telling it he started making up his own versions. They know it well.) they feel asleep quickly which led to Anthony and I crashing on the floor. It was so much fun! I would do it again for sure! They are so cute!

captivating

2009-06-08T16:00:00.000-07:00

So i thought i would share some of my art.

A long time ago i drew this eye on a sticky note.

I've been playing around with it and came up with these eyes.

I thought it turned out alright considering i'm not the best at photoshop. (Please dont mind the horrible eyebrows! haha)

Then i kind of like this picture i created. I color pencil/water painted the orange.
The actual painting of my orange looks more real
but this makes me happy anyways.

b & w

2009-05-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

try taking a picture at night with no flash sometime, the results are crazy cool!

on another note i'm kind of obbsessed with this idea right now. i love taking pictures then making them black and white. i think it turned out pretty neat!

a day at the park

2009-05-11T15:59:00.000-07:00

A little while ago when it wasn't so hot we went the the park. Anthony played some soccer and i got my little sketch book out. This is what i saw, drew it, added some touches to it, and this is what i got.

i am fascinated by trees, they are so lovely

creative in my eyes

2009-05-08T10:36:00.000-07:00

i must say that Melanie is one of the most creative and artistic people i know! She is such an inspiration to me! I have enjoyed seeing her art throughout the years! She did this project for one of her ASU classes and i'm throughly amazed. Plus it was really fun to help her out on it!

Can you guess what it is?

Her project theme was anything Fantasy.

The masks were really cool!

We had fun looking through the mirrors to see ourselves!

And it is a GIANT MUSHROOM!

With hanging masks!

Wow the imagination Melanie has is amazing! I hope she gets an A+ GREAT WORK MEL!

In the Morning.

2009-05-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

He he..... Anthony is so cute! look at this little curled up ball he can make himself into. haha

I think some days his hair can get a little out of whack. This was his hair one morning. Calics are cool dont you think?

I think this day was by far the funniest thing! i didn't notice till i saw the other side of his head!

But he is always cute in the morning no matter what! Plus when he plays 3rd Planet by modest mouse! (he edits the song dont worry) I love you Anthony Hall!

Purple Shoes!

2009-05-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Last night i went to Megan and Adam's wedding reception! Congrats! Megan is really an amazing friend! She is always nice to everyone i have never heard anything mean out of her! Also Megan makes you happy to be around her! I wish her the best! Adam is one lucky guy! By the way she is Melanie's cousin so she feels kind of like mine. Plus she was the magic behind getting Anthony and I together!! So i will always and forever love her for that!
I love to see Melanie! So we have probably have, as Mel was saying, a picture of us two in so many different places! I think it is great!

The beautiful couple cutting the cake! Oh and you can see the lovely Kate taking pictures! She is so good at what she does. I love her style and plus she is a great friend!

The centerpieces.... i love wedding decorations!

Megan looked so amazing and beautiful!

Melanie's little bouquet!

I love seeing people get married... it is such a happy time in life!

and P.S. Shannon I love talking with you! You are sooo cute and love the braces!

one tree

2009-05-01T14:42:00.000-07:00

have you stopped to look at the sky lately ?

it makes me happy & is a nice little pause in my day

two hearts!

2009-04-28T09:16:00.000-07:00

Last night we went to Logans Roadhouse with Scott and Sherice. When Anthony and i got our food i was so excited! I had to take a picture! we both got hearts made out of chicken!

Our food loves us!

hiking with the hancocks

2009-04-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

Today we went to the superstition mountains with Melanie and James. It was so fun! I haven't been hiking in a really long time so it was great and not too hard of a climb. The desert is amazing.

Mel and James!

I was really stoked!

Up where the water was supposed to be but sadly is was dry. It usually has a waterfall but only had some shallow pools with tadpoles.

the hieroglyphics were cool!

Mel and I attempting to take a picture but we couldn't without laughing! Haha we took some really funny ones.

Cactus are so cool!

This lizard was awesome, it was pretty big too!

On our hike back! I think hiking will be a new hobby of ours!

shells!

2009-04-14T16:52:00.001-07:00

while we were at the beach i went shell crazy. i was trying to find the coolest shells until my back hurt from bending over! i think i picked up a little too many... i have more than this too... any ideas with what to do with shells? haha (dont worry, i bleached them so they dont stink!)

the details on shells are incredible! i find it fascinating!

And on a REALLY happy note i finally got this wonderful cd! I am in love! seriously maybe because Anthony can tell me what they are saying when i ask (he speaks french you know) but after listening to this whole cd i was dancing and so incredibly happy even though i have no idea what they are saying. haha i love it!

guess who came to visit?

2009-04-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

THE EASTER BUNNY!

I got my favorite easter candy robin eggs/ reeses and anthony got starburst jellybeans! not too much but thats all we wanted. I love easter! haha

We had to take some fun pictures. hum.... ya anthony is crazy

I love him though and we have fun together!

we went to the west

2009-04-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

this easter weekend we decided (with scott and sherice's persuasive skills) to go to california for the day. we went to DISNEYLAND and CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE!!! and it sure was a blast!

On our Way!

Scottie Boy!

Sherice!

US in the car!

i love passing through the windmills they are amazing!

So i dont have any pics from disney land haha i was having too much fun!

the next day we went to the beach! anthony was so excited to get there!

The beach ball blew away! anthony chased it so far away!

He saved the ball!

Ya!

I loved every minute of the beach! my favorite part was shell hunting!

It was soooo cold from the wind.

Ah blissful to lay on the beach!

I dont like wearing my glasses but i forgot contact solution!

MAUH!

It really was amazing! i love the ocean!

origami

2009-04-10T10:07:00.001-07:00

Isn't origami amazing? i absolutely love making things out of paper...

this was my latest creation.

its a square!

2009-03-25T13:25:00.000-07:00

i have accomplished my very first dish rag!! it looks pretty good! i'm currently working on a scarf now. so we will see how that goes. i enjoy knitting and hope to get better at it. it sure takes a lot of practice though.

up close!

Ta Da! i did it!

pot o' treats

2009-03-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

I have amazing sisters! For Saint Patrick's Day, they put this treasure hunt together for the grand kids to find the pot of goodies. The kids were so excited to find the clues!
IN GREEN CLOTHES!

Spicer was pretty chill about the whole thing.

Reading the clues!

Shawna and Jett walking to the next clue!

Brayden just didn't know what to think. He kept crying any time Ginger my dog would come anywhere close.

On the logs in front of the house!

Hiking up the the barn! (not the best picture of me) but as you can see i'm not wearing Green! I got pinched quite a few times! Ouch!

My horse on the right out in the field.

They found the END! See the pot of TREATS! !

Jett was sure excited!

Anthony was super excited too, can't you tell? posing with Michelle's sunglasses on!

And the lovely Madilyn as well!

Yay! The Treasure! They were all so happy (except Cardston he missed the clue and felt left out) Overall it was pretty fun! Afterwards they blew bubbles and ate chocolate treats!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

one fish!

2009-03-18T11:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we went FISHING! The lake was all frozen except about 20 feet from the shore. You can see a bit of the ice in the top left corner of this picture. It was in the low 20 degrees and freezing cold! My legs felt like they were going to fall off until Anthony went to another part and left me alone.... i felt a bite! FISH ON!

This is the fish i caught, removed the hook, and put the metal thing in its mouth all by myself. I was freaking out since Anthony wasn't there, but i did it! I caught a fish!

This is it dead. It was about 13inches. Anthony wanted me to though it back since we unfortunately didn't catch any more. Anthony was pretty sad about that plus he's been to the same lake and never caught anything before either. I just got lucky i guess. I wanted to keep it and so we brought it home and found Rocks in its stomach! But it sure tasted amazing! i love fish! My Grandpa Passey was a fisherman and i must have inherited that from him!

camping long ago

2009-03-13T17:06:00.000-07:00

This was from a long time ago camping at Green's Peak for labor day. It was before we were married so we each had our tents and had so much fun!

I found these pictures and thought they were cute!

Anthony and my dad played horseshoes! They are both pretty good!

(i think my dad won though) they were fun to watch! i unfortuantly couldn't seem to throw the shoe in the right direction or land in the spot i wanted it to....it was either too close or too far away! haha but it was fun trying.

Love him!

Camping wouldn't be complete without a dirty mouth!

And the freezing cold, while playing cards!

And kisses to keep my nose warm!

Awww!

I want to go camping so bad! I love it! Even if i have to wear my glasses!

knitting

2009-03-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

I started knitting... i've always wanted to be able to do this amazing feat, so i'm in the learning stage. Refer to here and you can see a picture of me knitting on my recent road trip...

As you can tell i'm not very good yet, but i WILL be good one day!

i love happy birthdays!

2009-03-12T17:16:00.000-07:00

For Anthony's Birthday i wanted to create something different and creative! So i decided a kite since he wishes he could fly... haha so i made up this fun game and scavenger hunt! He loved it!

This is the kite card i made! On the back is was his card and the front is the game!

I put up this sign but in real life it looks a bit more colorful, it was so much fun!

I love Birthdays!

Three B-Days in a week!

2009-03-06T14:15:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday on Monday to my little nephew Branson Spicer Mills! Love this little kid! He is so adorable! He always will give long hugs and is just so sweet! KISSES FOR SPICE!

Happy Birthday SHAWNA MARIE SMITH!! My dearest sisters birthday was on Wednesday...I couldn't post this because i hadn't given her her card yet (that is her card i made below)! So I now just am posting! Plus i dont have any recent pictures of her! I need to take pictures with her! I love shawna so much she is amazing and a great friend! I hope she had a wonderful birthday and Thanks for letting me come over and chill at your house! I love to spend time with her! I am grateful for her and for being there for me! Happy Birthday!

And finally my sweet husband Anthony's Birthday is today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOVE!

Isn't he handsome?! I just love him so much! I'm grateful to have him in my life every single day and to be married to him! He is full of surprises and loves being silly! I'm always having fun when i'm with him! He is someone i try to be better for and want to make happy. He is caring for people and very ambitious to help others! Wait he is ambitious in everything! I love that about him and how he is a morning person and i'm not. I'm so happy that i waited for him for two years and couldn't be happier! I hope that he has a great day and i will post pictures of our festivities later on! Happy Birthday to you ALL! I love you!

Salt River!

2009-03-02T14:18:00.001-08:00

we went to the Salt River...

it was beautiful, hot, cold, and most of all fun!

at the shore throwing rocks

we made lots of cool splashes in the water!

my wonderful dad, anthony, & brian.

the river wouldn't be complete without a cool umbrella!

and funny Faces! i think anthony has about a million of them! i think they are hilarioius!

and cute little boys! poor thing got sand in his eyes!

kaden tried so hard to lift this rock, i watched him get it all the way to the river by pushing it!

jaxon just loved posing for me!

i love him!

and jett's big cheesy!

overall the river was pretty fun. i can't wait to go again when the water isn't freezing

KS GIRLS!!

2009-02-26T09:10:00.000-08:00

So we (the KS Appraisal Girls) decided to start a blog just for fun!

Also so we could keep Stephenie updated on our lives

since she worked at KS for about 3 years!

This is our KS Girls Blog! I love it! http://ksgirls444.blogspot.com/

Two Nephews in a week!

2009-02-26T08:55:00.000-08:00

My sister Shawna had her baby boy on Wed Feb 18th!!

Kannon Jace Smith

He is adorable!

I love holding the little guy!

Colton David Mills!

My sister in law Kari had her little boy on Fri Feb 20th!

Isn't he so cute?

In the hospital! Anthony is so good with little babies!

Pictures!

2008-11-15T17:45:00.001-08:00

We finally got our professional pics back! My dad was the best and took them for us! I just wanted to say how it was such a wonderful day! I enjoyed it very much and was so happy! Anthony looked fantastic and he kept saying how happy he was. It was so fun to get all dressed up and have a day focused on us! I love him so much and feel so blessed to be married to such an awesome guy!

Honeymoon

2008-11-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Catalina Island Avalon Harbor

A discovery discovered

Wedding

2008-11-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

The Wedding Day

(these are freelance shots we will update soon)

Park Broadway Box

2008-10-31T18:39:00.001-07:00

Sitting around in our apartment eating on boxes and sitting on the floor helped inspire us to attempt this adventure. As you can see there is a box what was it used for? Watch and you shall see. Join us for the fun.