what's been going on

Well, apparently this summer was a "be outside" summer, and not a "write blog posts" summer.
You know what, that's so cool with me.

This semester was my first semester of "real" college. None of that fun artsy stuff! (Well maybe just a bit of it) 
I had a blast making new friends, learning sweet dance moves, and understanding the human brain and body better. I also had the opportunity to paint a 42ft mural with a girl in one of my classes. It was an amazing semester!

Mike also did an amazing job teaching junior high out in the little town of Coalhurst. They loved him out there and I know the school will sincerely miss all that he did for them!

Today was my last exam and Mike is in his final week of teaching and then we are on to the Christmas season with the family!!

One Year!

Wow Michael, we did it! 

A year has just flown by. I don't know how it happened but it just passed us by and we were much to busy having a blast to notice. It's shocking to think how much more I've come  to love him since these photos from our wedding day were taken. We've accomplished so much and been to so many places, and I wouldn't give this time away for the world, you're my best friend. I love you Mike! 

I just love the 1950's esque of this photo

Here's to a lifetime of love!  

Happy Mothers Day

Oh Mom, where to start? You are an amazing woman. You raised me into the woman I am today. You were always there for me. Always. You even came to my awful grade 8 basketball games where I didn't just play post, I was a post the entire game; arms crossed and everything. Your sense of humour is fantastic and I so envy your quick wit and effortless laugh, your red hair, but more importantly, your ablility to always know the right thing to say when I need you. You are an amazing mother and I am so proud and lucky to be your daughter!

I love you Mom!

Best Little Birthday Ever

Well this was just the best birthday I've ever did have! Before work and school, Mike and I woke up at the crack of dawn and hit up Denny's free breakfast. I then dropped Mike off at school and went back to bed for a quick nap. After my nap I went to work and during work we all decided to go to Ihop for what I thought would be another free meal. Turns out they just give you free ice cream, but hey, that's a-ok with me! After work Mike picked me up and we headed over to Henderson for a lovely lake-side picnic. Oh and did I mention that it was 25 degrees celsius outside? 

Yes, please mother nature!

And Mike gave me the cutest one peice for my bday!

My brother Ryan

A few weeks ago I was at my parents house and my Dad decided I was qualified enough to take our families passport photos because of my one month at the Walmart portrait studio.  

My little bro Ryan was rocking a sweet mullet and dirt-stach, and for some odd reason my Dad didn't want my brother's passport to look like that for the next 5 years. Who knows why.

So we had a little "stach-shaving-off" photo shoot...not the first one we've had either. 

It always is an event when Ryan shaves his stach!

My Dad and sis Ariana then combined forces to pin his sweet mullet back. 

He cleans up pretty good. Watch out ladies!

The next week we came up we're all in the kitchen, when I look over at Ryan and he's sporting this sweet temporary tattoo.

An elegant lion. 

Ryan, you're awesome!

Ariana'a Birthday

Great choice on the BLTs Shmare! 

Something must have been very interesting

Opening our present to her...

Opening Mom & Dad's present to her... I guess their gift was cooler than our $15 itunes card.

Twinseys!

The Calgary Temple

 Last weekend Mike and I were able to travel up to my parents house to celebrate my little sisters birthday. We also got to see the temple and how it was coming along. It is so amazing how far it has come since we left for China.
For more information click here.

Color Me Katie

Today while I was on my "10 mins" on pinterest a day (a goal I've set for myself that I'm still working on) I was looking for fun Valentines Day ideas. I always like to go to the ideas sources and see what it's all about aswell.

 I usually spend a little more time on those blogs depending on there quality and content aswell. It's a vicious cycle!

I stumbled upon a really cute and original idea and so I went to the source. 

It's about a girl name Katie who lives with her cat Moo and lives in a rainbow!
She loves spreading cheer! 

and I loved her blog!

Tonight as I was cleaning out some things I hadn't touched since before China, I discovered my old business cards and since they were no longer valid I decided I would begin a painting project. 

As it began I soon discovered I was making everything rainbow just like Katie's home...

...and then I thought about something I've wanted to do for Mike ever since we got married.

We had been in someone's home and as we passed the master bedroom we saw above their bed something that looked similar to this...

Mike saw it and then said, "That's sweet! But I'd make it say...smooch your face off every night!" haha

and so this was created...

Breadwinners vs. Sugar Mamas

Since we've been back in the country Mike has been an excellent husband going to school; working towards become the breadwinner.
But...for the time being I'm the sugar mama. The only problem with that was the challenge of finding a job in Lethbridge! But I've done it! I work for Four J Investments which sounds cooler than it is.

There are no temples in China. You may say, "Hong Kong has a temple, and it's in China."
It's not according to our Chinese visa. Food for thought.

Anyway, this weekend we were able to hang out with Michael's aunt and uncle in Cardston. The Sorpolds. We had a delicous dinner and as always such a good time with them. Unfortunatly they dominated us at rook again...we'll get you next time!

 Here are some pictures of what our lives have looked like since we've been back.

A special picture for Sophie

    

The hairbow is gonna be huge. I know it!