Lovin the Lake and Bein a Woman

So two completely unrelated topics to discuss today. First of all, one of the greatest things about being in Texas is going to the lake every Saturday. Aaron and I have had so much fun going out on the boat all the time. But no one loves it more than our little water dog. The first time we went she was a little timid of the water but now every time we jump off the boat we hear a little splash behind us and she's in, swimming around. This is Aaron's first summer to wakeboard and he is having so much fun. I, on the other hand, used to be fearless, but have turned into such a chicken. Every time I do a trick in the back of my head I hear, "Haley is this going to affect your ability to some day have children?" How weird am I? Here are some pictures of us tubing, swimming, and having fun.So Jo and I are riding the tube together and I guess she thought she was done because she just jumped off in the middle of the ride and started swimming back to the boat. It was so funny. In unrelated to the lake findings, I read an article the other day about how the week before you start your period your metabolism increases causing you to need up to 300 extra calories a day. 300 free calories (well not free but we make do) people!! Those craving we feel are real. What will I be eating with my extra calories you might be wondering. Well I'll tell you: Sonic chicken toaster (quite possibly the greatest sandwich ever but also probably not the most healthy what with the fried chicken, bacon, cheese, toaster bread and all :) Finally a bright side to this dreaded time of the month. *
*note: I felt good about posting this since I feel that the only people who read my blog are women.

Pierson Family Pictures

When we were in Arkansas for the reunion we took family pictures. A lady in Aaron's ward took them for us and she did a great job. It is really hard to get that many children to sit still but we did the best we could. So if you haven't seen an updated picture of the Pierson clan...here we are. (Anxiously awaiting the newest addition to the family any day now).

Everyone:Our little family:
The original Piersons:
Grankids (they were not interested). If you could only see the parents behind the camera trying to bribe their kids.

Needs Vs. Wants

So something Aaron has been trying to teach me since we got married is the difference between needs and wants. If I ever feel like I need something (clothing is a great example) Aaron asks me if I need new shoes or if I just want new shoes. Its a common occurrence around our house. So the other night we are sitting watching tv and a commercial comes on for this little number, the Colgate 360 tooth brush. Wow, this is a cool tooth brush, I think in my head. It has a brush on the back too so you can brush your tongue and cheeks. I go over it in my head- okay my current tooth brush is fine but this would really help me to better clean my tongue and cheeks. My mouth is important and I want to make sure it stays clean. And actually I'm saving us money by lowering the amount of dental work that I will need done because this will keep my mouth so much cleaner (Right? Right). I've got the argument all prepared in my head.

"Aaron" I say, clearing my throat, "I need that tooth brush."
"Oh really sweetie, you need that."
This was easy, I haven't even gone into my arguments. "Yes, I will use it all the time to better clean my cheeks and tongue, I'm so bad about that now but if I had THIS tooth brush I would do it."
"Oh really, are you sure about that?" (What's going on here...)
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Haley, you have that tooth brush."

Ha, ha... sure enough I do and I didn't even know it. I have started using it to better clean my whole mouth :)

Just a little look into what being married to me is like. Bless my sweet husband.

And We're Back!

I know, I know. I have been a total slacker with blogging. I don't know what happened but I just took the month of August off, not blogging or checking blogs. But today I am going to read and check up on every one's blogs and try and post an update from us.

So yes folks, its true...we're Texans!! It is official. Its been weird being back. It was so hot when we got here, unbelievable really. Aaron started his job last week after Labor Day and seems to be enjoying it. (well after he figured out his way around downtown) He is in Chicago right now for 2 whole weeks of training. That is the longest we have ever been apart, it really stinks. I have been getting settled here and now I am seeking employment. I'm hoping to find something more in the 30 hour a week range.

Exciting happenings from August were making the long drive here in two cars. I couldn't believe we could fit our entire world into two cars but we did. The DI in Provo got a lot of our stuff and we were fortunate enough to be able to sell a lot of it. We stayed with my grandparents in New Mexico for a couple of days and then right after we got here we headed out to Arkansas for nearly two weeks to see Aaron's family and have a family reunion. We stayed in a gorgeous house in Hot Springs right on the lake and did boating and hanging out, it was really beautiful and fun. Here are some highlights from the trip:

All of the kids loved our sweet Jo. She was such a great traveler and she LOVED Arkansas.
Morning Yoga on the balcony at the house (have I ever mentioned how many Yoga instructors there are in Aaron's family?...lots)Aaron's parents got us all a box at a Traveler's Game and it was so fun. The kids got to run the bases afterward. (Isn't my husband a hottie)We could not get enough of this little girl, she had changed so much!Aaron and I shared a birthday dinner:We spent a lot of time having fun on the boat:I have so many more fun pictures to put up. We finally experienced the Spitzer's famous water slide and it lived up to its reputation. Jo LOVED it, she ran up and slid down again and again. (Ambyr do you have pictures of that? We don't seem to have any) My brother and his family came for Labor Day, Aaron has gotten so good at wake boarding, and we have Pierson family pictures.

What we've been up to...

I've been so bad with keeping up lately. But the big update is that we are moving on August 4th. I have gotten almost all of our furniture sold and new people are moving in the afternoon after we move out. We're getting excited to leave but also sad to leave Utah. We will miss our family here and the mountains. But talk to me in the winter, I won't miss it very much. :) We've been working on packing but still have so much to do. I just wanted to get a few things up as to what we have been doing lately.

First off and most important, its true folks, we got a puppy!! Her name is Jo and she's a white lab. She is beautiful. She goes everywhere with me and is so smart. House training her wasn't difficult but she does not sleep through the night. I have newfound respect for your new mothers. Seriously tired all the time. But she is a cutie. Here are a few pictures of her:For my birthday we went to The Police concert. It was so fun! Sting is so hot (sorry, its true). I mean how old is he these days? Aaron was surprised at how much he enjoyed it and how much music he knew. We also did all my favorite things on my birthday - swimming, tennis, eating, ice cream, etc.

Pioneer Day was really fun here. I ran in a 10K that morning (a grueling one, hills, hills, hills) and we played all day long.Other than that we've been saying good bye to friends and family, trying to celebrate Aaron's birthday (I did a bad job, I'm working on redeeming myself), playing with Jo, and taking naps where we can.

Fourth of July

Yes we did celebrate The Fourth of July its just taking me really long to get pictures up. I have been so busy with getting our apartment/furniture sold, things packed up, finishing up at work/etc. etc. But here are some pics from our festivites from the fouth of July. Also Aaron took me to The Police concert for my birthday and it was A-mazing!! I will post a video from it soon. We went to Kayesville for the fourth and stayed with Aaron's brother and his family for the whole weekend. We swam everyday and played games, ate tons of food and all of that. The poor boys were so wiped out at the end of everyday they fell asleep on the couch. We're always so appreciative that Jedd and Marcie are willing to let us spend the weekend with them and crash their house. We will miss being so close to them.

Update...

This is now my husband's screen saver!! I feel like a horrible wife...