Wednesday, August 13, 2008

AfRiCa!!!!

So this is one of the many sunsets that I got to witness in South Africa. It was amazing to say the least...I have a long story and a whole heck of a lot of pictures, but I shall try to edit and cut it short:
Here's Kris the night before we fly out in Salt Lake City at a yummy BBQ place that I forgot what it's called....but it's at Jordan Landing for your info. We then did our last minute shopping at Cabela's for the trip. I forgot some major important girlie face stuff (How could I???), in my luggage and so we then went to a Smith's grocery store...Can't look decent without that!!! This fellow was at the Salt Lake Airport taking a nap...I thought it was funny and an obvious Kodak moment. So, I took a picture.
This is us on the Plane from Georgia to Africa...it was the longest flight EVER. My feet swelled up and I felt very pregnant for a second because of the bubble feet affect. It was a 20 hour flight. Africa is eight hours ahead of Mountain time here. Time change didn't seem to affect me going there. Now that I am back. Yikes! The time change is rough. Kris has been falling asleep at like 6pm and waking up at 3am... I don't get to go to bed until I close the office and Goober is ready to go to bed...but today is the first day that I haven't felt too much jet-lag and I seem to be back into the "groove."
This is a poster thing at the Johan-Berg Airport. I am not sure if it was a warning to watchout for these things in the road or what...but, yet again, a Kodak moment for myself...not everyday you see a sign like this. We just have boring Deer and People signs :]
We were on the road to the ranch; which by-the-way was another FIVE hour drive. We stopped at a gas station and I was cold...so I had to warm up somehow. It was Africa's winter and it was kind of chilly...OH! I almost forgot. They have these chips called "Simba" with a Lion on it and it had a flavour of Tomato/Ketchup!!! I was in Ketchup Heaven and gobbled them all up. I was bumbed that I got a little bag, because I wanted some more :]
On Sunday, first morning in Africa, we went to a Whit Lion Reserve....

Right when you walked in there were two white Lion cubs...very cute you got to let them nibble on ya and lick ya and touch them...Later on we found out that you weren't supposed to do that. There were no signs saying so...OOPS!!!Truck we rode in to go right up to the Lions... Big Daddy LionBig Momma Lion who looks mad and about to eat someone, no names, JON!!! Two cute baby cubs...To make a long story short when we landed in Africa at the Airport, we went to go get our luggage, and yes, all were lost!!! FIVE Bow cases and FIVE suit cases...So this is me from a long flight with the same clothes I've been wearing for THREE days...no hair or face stuff :] Anyways, the girlies went on a game drive on Monday on the Ranch, while the boys went and hunted Baboons...yep the blue and red butt kind of Monkeys. This is Kris in front of a big tree where they were hunting Baboons...It probably would have been hard to see him if he wasn't wearing a orange hat...Kalab ended up shooting two Baboons. They are very hated in Africa. They are known for taking human babies and killing them and they are just a pest. Their teeth are kind of scary...This is a typical water hole where are blinds were at while waiting for animals to come in...This is inside the blinds...where it usually had windows like this and little ones off to the side to watch for animals and to shoot out the big tall ones...Baby Pringles that they gave us in our lunch boxes...never seen them this small :]Kris and his trophy Eland. You would not believe how big this animal is...I do not have a clue where we are going to put it!!!! :] But very cool, perfect shot...Kris kept asking, "Should I shoot it? Should I shoot it?" I obviously said..."No"...just kidding I said, "Yes."Here are the workers. All were very friendly and helpful. As you can see the Eland was to big for the back of the truck...HUGE animal!Kris and his beautiful Zebra on the Second day of hunting. I never would have thought killing a Zebra would be neat, but it really was exciting. Perfect shot. Very smart animals and hard to hunt.Leopard Gecko that was hiding in our blind...Long story short.......it ATTACKED ME FROM OUT OF NO WHERE!!! Freaked me out...Kris's first Impala...on the Third day of hunting...perfect shot.Kris and his Black Wildebeest on the Fourth day. Not the best shot ever, but worked :] I wanted Kris to get one of these the most out of everything. He already has a Blue Wildebeest from his first trip; which we named Wilber. This was the coolest hunt I have ever seen. We tracked it forever. While I was getting a ride back to our room since they were still tracking it...Nick, the dad of the ranch saw the hurt Wildebeest in the trees. He jumped of the Wranger and didn't even put it in park and shot him...I hurried and jumped over and put it in park so it would not keep rolling... and then the dogs (Russell Terriers) caught up to it. They were barking and surrounding the Wildebeest. It finally caved and fell over and died. I didn't film him shooting it, but I got it running and the dog surrounding it...it was Animal Discovery Channel material :]Side profile of the Black Wildebeest...This one was a trophy too...Tombay, the smartest hunting dog taking a break. She was so fun to watch track and find the animals...Kris and Kalab were back in the truck and the truck and the driver forgot and ran Kris into a tree. He was stuck for a bit :] hee-heeGiraffe playing peek-a-boo from above the trees...Baby Giraffe...I LOVE THIS ANIMAL!!! My favorite... This is the only animal I really wanted to see before I left.Us in front of a big tree on the ranch...Jon, Rachel, Becky, Kris and myself...took a break from hunting this day because Kris was killing everything. Eland was $1500, Zebra $800, Black Wildebeest $800, Impala $290...Definitely needed to slow down :]Kris is a Tree hugger :]Skin of the Tree...
Us in front of a Termite Hill...Should we be standing next to it???Kris eating a banana like a Monkey in the BlindWarthogs lean on their knees to eat...they are very mean and chase off things way bigger then themselves...
Baby Warthogs are very cute in an ugly way :]
Waterbok...they have a white circle on their butts kind of like a target :]Zebra's drinking... :]Kris and his SECOND Impala...this one was bigger than the first one, that's why Kris shot it. Needed another trophy.On our last day of hunting. The day that I was actually going to shoot a Cow Blue Wildebeest if it came in; which it didn't...a family of Giraffes came into the water hole to drink at our blind...
It was so neat to watch them...I love this picture...
They Hung out for awhile until sunset...Kris took this picture...while I was watching in "Awe"... Very beautiful.Sunset and Giraffe to the right in the tree...Couldn't ask for a better way to end my last night in Africa watching my favorite Africa animal. Maids and Lydia, the mom/cook on the ranch. They were so fun and before we left the Maids sang to us, I think it was the Africa Athem, but either way it was beautifully sung.
Precious little Percy. He is FIVE months. Filled my hole a little for Declan. Such a big baby. He Belonged to Bette, one of the maids. The one on the very left on the other picture...
Kris and Myself pointing out to the Bushmen where to shoot :]

Kris and Me :] *Aww*

Us in front of the gate before we left to Fly back to America...Shannon and Mette are the young married couple that run the ranch with Shannon's parents. It was incredible, fun, and restful. I desperately needed a break, and this was just what I needed. Did not want to leave, only to go get Declan, but come straight back.




Here are some of the other animals that the rest of the family got:Larry and his Kudu. He also got a Blue Wildebeast...Duiker...TWO Impala...Zebra...SteinbokKalab and the Ugliest Warthog known to man. He also got TWO Baboons... Steinbok...TWO Impala... Blue Wildebeast...Zebra..Jon and his Impala
Rachel and her Cow Blue WildebeastJesse and his Gemsbok. He also got a Kudu...Four Impala...Blesbok...and a Baboon. I don't know if I'm missing anything, but that's just off the top of my head.Becky and her Impala. I would like to announce that she got the biggest out of all of the hunters total...SHE BEAT ALL THE BOYS!!! HAHAHAH...Take that!!!


Kris and I flew by ourselves on our way back, while the others went back the Georgia way. We flew from Jo-Berg to Paris; 10 hour flight. We had a FOUR hour lay-over in Paris, and then flew from Paris straight to SLC another 10 hours. I bought a shirt and a little Eiffle Tower. It was a nice airport. Kris and I got threw pretty smoothly. People were friendly. They would always talk to us in French at first and Kris would just smile and let them finish their sentence and then say, "English???" It was funny. Here are some vage Paris pictures:Inside the Airport at our Gate...Outside the Airport window...Paris from afarIn the Airport there was a Playstation 3 area...go figure
Paris in the Air...very pretty and green/spaciousParis in the Air again...

I am just very thankful for the opportunity that Heavenly Father allowed us to be able to go on this trip and be as sucessful as we were. We traveled safe. Everyone got along and had fun. Kris was a fantastic hunter. It was just something that I never thought, before I was married, that I would be able to go to Africa. It was also nice to see people so interested in the church and wanted to know what we were all about--and yes we got the, "What number wife are you?" :] We gave out Book of Mormon's to workers and the owners. I hope they read it and take it to heart. I know some of the things that were brought up about the church were confusing to them, but just as long as they have their hearts open and listen...they will not be confused. Such a blessing...

I missed my little Declan terribly. I cried when I went out the door to leave and could not wait to see him again. I can not believe how much he has changed in TWO WEEKS!!! He's such a big boy now.

I just want to thank my mom and dad for taking such great care of him. I did not have any worries at all. I knew he was in great hands, because I was raised by you and look at me :] I am sure it was special for both you and Declan to spend time together and with everyone. What great parents and grandparents you are... Love you Mom and Dad!!!

Kylee, do not get in a wreck ever when I am just leaving for a vacation or at all for that matter!!! Scared me to death, but Heavenly Father took care of you, that's for sure. Thanks for watching Declan also. Love you Kylee!!!

Dez and Geoff, thank you too. I am glad you are closer to home and you got to come out!! Thanks for coming out when mom got sick Dez--you are an amazing sister, daughter, and will be a great mom. I prayed for you Geoff when it was the day of the bar. I know you are a smarty-pants and did well. Love you Dez and Geoff!!!

Chase...you were in Seattle, but I Love you Anyway!!! :]




WHAT A GREAT TRIP!!!!!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

YOU MAKE ME FEEL LIKE DANCING!!!

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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

I'm 24 aNd DeClaN iS 8 MoNthS!!!!!


SO...I turned the big 2-4 yesterday, July 1st. I gotta say that I am not a bigfan of my birthday. I do not like getting attention that much and having
people worry about "What to get her." Whenever I am asked what I want...I reply, "Nothing..."; which I rarely do need or want anything in particular.But at the same time you could get me anything and I am a happy camper. People say I am hard to buy for, but some say I am easy to find something--because I'll take anything :].
I woke up and actually forgot that it was my birthday. If Kris did not say,"Happy Birthday" right when we woke up before he went to work I would've probably not realized it for a bit... :] Sad I know...
SO...I worked for a bit til 5:30pm...was bored out of my mind and didn't want to be working. I watched a bit of TV, while working, and kind of took a power nap, while working. I text Kris and said I was bored and he was off work early and brought home some mac and cheese from KFC (yum-yum)--nothing better than mac and cheese with KETCHUP!!!!
He then asked if I wanted one of the presents. He was holding two things behind his back and one was ZOO TYCOON 2, and BEE MOVIE. I really like the ZOO game. If you haven't played it I recommend it. You build your own Zoo, and buy all kinds of animals. Put whatever attractions you can afford in the Zoo and make sure guests are happy and Zoo Animals. Fun game!! BEE Movie is just a really funny movie and I enjoy cartoon and pixar movies...
HE then said there was one more present. I of coarse didn't have a clue. He then had a "Samuel's" bag; which meant JEWELERY!!! I like shimmery stuff :] He opened one and it was a new thicker chain for the necklace that he bought for our Anniversary. The birthstone of Declan...He just thought that the one that came with it was pretty thin and thought a thicker one would be better. I didn't see the problem with the last one, but it was really pretty with it and made the stone stand out more...VERY PRETTY!!! He then had one more and was going to give it to me at dinner.
We went and ate at Bonsai with his mom, dad, Becky, Rach, Jon, Kalab and Kym. Yummy Chinese food place. Highly recommend that one too...I opened it the last present there and it was a set of earrings that matched Declan's birthstone necklace. I guess there wasn't the actual birthstone earrings there, but these one looked pretty close. Kind of peachy-orange...also VERY PRETTY!!!
My husband is wonderful and he always buys great stuff even when I tell him I don't want anything. Even though I wouldn't have cared if he got me anything or not.
THEN I also got a "Twilight" book from Becky, a new picture frame thing and a Salt Lake Temple Statue from Bonnie and Larry. Love all of it!!! I want to start reading and Becky bought me this book that everyone has been talking about and is crazy about...so I will get going on that pretty soon. I already have the statue up and I'll make the new picture frame for pictures of Declan because it holds 8 different pictures!!!
TODAY Declan is EIGHT MONTHS!!! It's just so surreal. He is getting so chubby, for him, and I am enjoying every moment of it. He really likes to spit lately :] He giggles a lot when he is standing up on my lap and I throw his hands up and say, "Throw'em up!!!" I got him going pretty good this last weekend for the Robinson reunion at my parents house. Such a good baby. Eats good, is rolling over good. Not getting the crawling quite yet, but doesn't really like being on his belly; which is fine. I am sure he'll walk before he crawls. Probably while I am gone to Africa :] I am sure he will change a lot for the two weeks I am gone. But I am a proud mommy and very lucky for such a handsome and healthy baby.
I want to thank everyone for getting me presents, Mullins's family and Ellsworth's. My mom bought me a bunch of new cloths and a necklace, earrings...it was just nice to get some new trendy close. THANKS MOM AND DAD!!!!! Spent way too much on me, but I love everything I got though. I LOVE YOU KRIS!!! Thank you for everything... I LOVE IT ALL!!! What a great family I have!!!!

Monday, June 9, 2008

MAny fACes...

Declan and Me at FOUR months old...

Declan and Darth Vader (Don't ask...)
Declan and Myself...he would not hold still

Binkie Mustache

Declan at SIX months...

NAKED Declan!!!!

Mr. Goober (say Mr. Goober like a Frenchman)

Me, or shoud I say, Declan putting me to sleep...

Nighty-night-night time....


Looks pretty funny in the hat that came with his PJ's...


Little Stud at SEVEN months...

Declan at church with his new Hawaii shirt...



I love this little one so much. Just want to squeeze him and kiss him all the time!!! He is so fun and changes everyday and does new things all the time. He is really starting to recognize people and voices more now. Likes to hear his own voice that's for sure. Giggles a lot more now. Can stand pretty good. Sitting up almost by himself. Loves food, a lot...gets quite mad if you do not get it to him fast enough, or if you take it away from him while he is still eating...
WHAT A CUTE LITTLE BUGG!!!!

Monday, May 19, 2008

tWO yEArs...

Wow-ee...
Two years Kris and I have been married today....we actually got married at 1:00pm and it's 1:13pm...so I think it's safe to say that we are married now for two years. We celebrated our day on the 16th in Logan Utah. Kris surprised me and got us a room at the Anniversary Inn. We stayed in the Amazon Room. It was pretty neat. Gi-normous room, huge tub, bed, couch, cheese-cake, cider, massage table, and cheese-cake...did I mention......................................................
cheese-cake? (With Rasberry topping...a-thank-you)

It was very romantic of him and it was relaxing and great. We went the scenic way through the Bear Lake way...and then went down the Logan Canyon road. We turned off at Evanston Wyoming and then got to Bear Lake by that way... I have never been that way. It was very pretty, and very green . Made me want to live there, only for a moment. :]

We got in Logan around 7:00-ish, 8pm. We got checked-in, looked at the room. Right when we walked in there was jungle "soothing" music, but I actually thought it was kind of creepy and made me scared of the room for a second...A lot of leaves, all the walls were painted by hand, and had stone walls and Myan stone faces on the walls and such. Pretty detailed, and very neat.

Kris also surprised me with a necklace from Samuels... "He went to Samuels"<---ahha...you know those stupid Jared commercials?? haha...I just replace it with Samuels.... ANYWAY....



I opened it and it is orang-ee-yellow-ee stone...with diamonds on the top. I thought it was really pretty, and I love it. He said, "Well, I'm glad you like it...but it also has a significant meaning." I said, "What? Is it an Anniversary stone or something?" He said, "No, it is Declan's birth-stone." (here's where you saw AWWWW...go ahead). I loved it even more. So, I then thanked him again, and asked him how he even thought of that. He just came up with it. I would've never thought of that...

So, then he also bought me "P.S. I love you"; which I LOVE TOO!!! What a great hubby. We watched that together during breakfast before we checked-out. Then we headed home, ate at Olive Garden and then was home...(Ugh).

I did not really want to come home, but I also did to see Declan. He looked cute and fat, and his face that he gave me when he saw me was great. Huge smile, and he actually reached out for me for the first time. He usually just looks at me, but this time he reached out with a smile :]

We then rested at his parents for a bit, and Declan did good for the first night away at a grandparents home, but woke up at 5:30am...and it was now 6:00pm...and he has not taken a nap yet. He definately slept really good that night we got home. But, we watched Narnia II that night. It was great...I love those books and love the movies. (yes, I actually read those when I was little Dez, Kylee...). The little sister in the movie kind of reminds me of Kylee, and the big sister Dez. Chase...neither brothers really. Me...I would've been a Beaver in the last movie...
KIDDING...
Anywayssssss, it was a great weekend. I loved every minute of it, (except the Jazz lost that night on Friday because they gave up). Other than that, I want to thank my husband again for what he did and the thought and effort he put into this. I REALLY appreciate it and it was nice to get away for a night....

P.S. I LOVE YOU KRIS!!!!!!

Monday, May 12, 2008

bEinG a MoM

Declan is now six months old. It has gone by way-way fast to me. He is growing mentally and physically. Perfect as can be little baby boy...of coarse I think that because he is mine. He is so much fun. He makes me smile and giggle. He makes me proud to be a mother. Yesterday was my official first "Mother's Day." I was pregnant last year, and this year I have little one.
We went to Kris's mom and dad's ward. Kris's dad did the program for the sacrament. It was really good. I held back crying quite a few times. During the middle the Primary went up to sing. Kris's mom is part of the Presidency of Primary and she was holding Declan at the time and took him up there with her. When she went up, Kris's dad is in the 2nd counselor and he was sitting up there, and took Declan out of her hands and held him. :] She wanted to take him up there to "sing to me", but Grandpa wanted to hold him.
I couldn't help but giggle and think of what he'll be like when he's older. If he will be one of those kids who sing out loud, very loudly(no names, ME). Or one of those kids that refuse to sing and just stand there and look grumpy. Or....many-many things were going through my head.
It was weird to have people say "Happy Mother's Day" to me...but very happy. I felt luckier than ever. The first month when he was born was very hard. I will never forget coming home after the first weekend he was at the University Hospital. I came home not pregnant anymore, but NO BABY. I walked in our apartment and fell to the floor and started crying/bawling when I saw the crib next to my bed. I hurt, and I ached for Declan...
I am forever grateful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with this opportunity to be a Mother and to have had my own flesh and blood. I am learning everyday on how to take care of him and be a better Mom...like my Mother who is an amazing mom. Being a mom is wonderful and brings so much joy, and I am proud of him...and it pleases me tremendously to be able to say "He is mine..."

Friday, April 11, 2008

"fUn TaG"

So...I have been "Tagged" by my sister Dezaree:

10 Years Ago I was starting my Freshman year in High School. I do not have a picture of how I looked on my computer that I can paste on here, but oh well. I was a High School Freshman 98-99' and this is the only time in my life when I was SKINNY!!! Believe it or not (until my Senior Year and something went awfully wrong). Other than being skinny, I am a dorky Freshman going through the growing up stage where my body is trying to decide whether to be pretty or ugly; which I haven't grown out of yet...hahahhah!!! ;)


5 tHinGs tO Do oN mY LisT ToDay:
1: Open the Office by 7:00am and do paper work
2: Get house clean and "tidy" before Declan wakes up
3: Make Mr. Goober a bottle(s)
4: Feed Declan...change Declan...feed Declan...change Declan...
5: Make sure Maids did their job and double check rooms for mistakes or no mistakes would be great... I could go on and on...
(Busy-Busy-Busy)

5 sNackS I enJoY:
1: Yogurt or anything with fruit
2: Cereal
3: Ketchup... :) kiddin'...or am I???
4: Oreo's, Chocolate Chip Cookies...any cookie really
5: SKittles, Starburst, Jelly Belly's
...now I am hungry

5 ThinGs I WouLD dO iF I wEre a BILLIONAIRE???:
1: Pay off DEBT; Cars, Medical Bills, Credit Cards (and family debt)
2: Buy a Castle...I mean, a nice home ;)
3: TRAVEL
4: Give some money for the research to cure DIABETES...or anything for that matter...
5: Help the Manila Jail...(this is for you dad), I know that needs money and I would not give it to the City Council, just for you, the Jail and staff.

5 bAd haBiTs:
1: Chew on my nails
2: Pick at scabs (if I have any)...used to be REALLY bad; like "get me to a Scab Re-hab" or something to that matter.
3: Compulsive with certain things
4: Watch TV
5: Do not exercise enough (or at all); which I am working on

5 joBs I'vE hAd:
1: Dishwasher, Hostess, Head Waitress at Flaming Gorge Lodge
2: Janitor at SUU at the MUSIC BUILDING
3: Head Hostess at Applebee's in Cedar City
4: Teacher/Aid at Child Developmental Center
5: Motel Manager...(current)
Mom and a wife is the best on though :)

THinGs PeoPle dOn'T KnOw abOuT mE:
1: I sang with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir when I was in 6th grade for the Utah Centenial Celebration...met and shook President Gordon B. Hinkley's hand
2: I love Ketchup...I would put it on about anything really
3: I was on the All-State Volleyball team my Senior year, and was voted "The best Setter in Utah"
4: I am stinkin' RICH...(I wish) hahaha...Seriously though I get creeped out by open water--I always feel like I'm going to be eaten or dragged under.
5: I wish I could be on broadway in a musical...I love musicals--Life would be funny if it were a musical.
6: I have a "dimple" on the left side of my face on the top of my cheek that was caused by a tennis raquet to the face...thanks Chase..was not born with a dimple.
7: I have a missing tooth. You can not tell because I have a fake tooth on my retainer, thus that is why I always wear a retainer and the ONLY REASON why I wear a retainer; which I want to get fixed right after Africa...hilarious I know(you can stop laughing now). This is me with no tooth... :[


This is me in a nut shell--I think--
I am sure there's more, but...