Mr. & Mrs. Dusty Harker

Let me tell you a little about the Harkers: They are awesome. Lane and Dusty have been best buds ever since 8th grade--and boy do they have some stories. I met Dusty basically when I met Lane. They're inseparable. They definitely have a special relationship. Sometimes I have to put some limits on them, but I'm basically out of the picture when they are together. Anyway, Dusty was the best man at our wedding, and gave a beautiful toast at our reception. During our first month of being married, it came time for my birthday. Lane and I weren't on the same page with birthdays and he planned to go to Fullerton, UT to attend Dusty's grandpa's birthday...aka golf the whole weekend and leave me with some random Harkers (see birthday post from 2008). They all made me feel like family, but being that I didn't know any of them, I felt awkward/bored/angry/etc. I became well acquainted with the Harkers at this time though, and ever since then I have considered myself family. We attend their family get-togethers when they all come home to Wenatchee. Dusty came over for dinner, went on dates, and even spent a Valentine's day with us in Rexburg. I love when Marti comes to visit. Brady and his wife Leah moved to Wenatchee almost a year ago and we hang out with them at least once a week. Leah is like a sister to me. So I'm basically Jannica Mitchell/Larson/Helton/Harker.

Anyway, after the long introduction to the Harkers, here's the wedding. It was great to be part of Dusty's wedding. Lane was his best man and gave a beautiful and emotional toast at their luncheon. I feel very happy for him in finding someone and settling down. He feels like a brother to me, whether he likes it or not.

In between the wedding and reception we found an hour to meet my grandparents in Temecula at a little bbq place. Like I said, we literally had to squeeze in some family time. I wish we had more than an hour but I'm glad they were able to meet us! Dusty tried hiding their car about a mile and a half away from the reception place so that it wouldn't be attacked. However, we didn't give up and of course located the vehicle!

Congratulations to Dusty and Jen! Because we consider ourselves family to the Harkers I say, welcome to the family, Jen!

Relative Time

We were able to go down to Southern California for a long weekend to attend Dusty and Jen's wedding (Lane's best friend since 8th grade). A lot of my relatives live down there so we planned to squeeze as many as we could in before the wedding (and during). We got there Thursday afternoon and went to my sister's cute apartment in Aliso Viejo, then met up with Becky, Libby, and Aunt Kandy to go on a beautiful walk down by the Montage in Laguna. We brought the perfect weather with us! After our lovely walk, Kandy made us a delicious pulled-pork dinner and we finished the night in the hot tub and watching American Idol with Brad (Becky's hubby), Mike (Britt's man), and Uncle Terry.

We started off Friday morning with another beautiful walk with Kandy and Libby. Then we headed to Laguna Beach and staked it at Diver's Cove for a few hours. Britt met up with us and we got some lunch. Lane got fried, I got a little burnt, but we enjoyed the perfect weather. We were even entertained by some dolphins jumping around, and a huge whale! It was awesome. After the beach and watching Michael Scott's last episode of The Office, Lane and I headed to San Diego and met up with Erin and Russell. We went out to dinner at Chili's with Dusty and Jen and some others, then us four sat in the hot tub for a little. It was a very pleasant day. (Oh yes, and Lane cut himself a mullet and handle-bar mustache to scare the bride and groom...it worked).

Easter Weekend 2011

My family was able to come up to visit us in lil ol' Wenatchee. I literally paced around my house, and stared out the window, timing exactly when they would get here. When they did the weather was PERFECT. After the grand tour of our house, and some relax time we went to Cashmere to do some bowling and pizza at Brian's. My family seemed to enjoy the small town place that we basically had all to ourselves. Then we played some Just Dance2 on the Wii which was quite entertaining!

Saturday we had some more of the perfect weather. We grilled up some brats, hot dogs, and shrimp and had a nice lunch in the sun out on our deck. My mom took me shopping for some plants to add some color to the front of our house. She bought me these beauties:

After lunch and lounging we headed to Leavenworth to walk around. Lane got a speeding ticket on the way there...he never speeds so that sucked. He just forgot to click off of cruise control when the speed limit changed. Leavenworth wasn't too exciting but we got some yummy fudge! Then we decided to eat some more food at Cashmere's Country Boys (the most delicious bbq ever)! We dyed some eggs with some jokes and giggles like usual, then we danced off some calories again with some more wii and ended the night with a movie.

Easter Sunday was a nice, pleasant day. We just relaxed in the morning, ate some cinnamon rolls, found our baskets, and then went to church. We hosted dinner at our house just like Christmas so we had about 30 people in our home for a scrumptious ham dinner. I dreaded my family leaving so I tried to push the night as long as it could go, but of course it had to come to an end. I am so happy they all were able to come though! I had such a great weekend, hopefully it was worth all the travelling for them!

Tobie missed Trevor so much! He was beyond thrilled that he was coming. He had been talking about it for months and he spent every second he could with Trevor while he was here. He didn't understand that Trevor wasn't staying to live with us again until the night before when he had to go home. He bawled his eyes out. It was so sad to watch but so cute to watch them together. Hopefully he'll get to see him again sometime soon!

 

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Oh...well I made the Dean's List again. No big :)

Mr. or Mrs. Owl

For the past couple months I have been listening to one of these at night when I'm trying to fall asleep.

I want to know what he/she looks like, and where he/she stations him/herself at night. I like listening to him/her. I was afraid I wouldn't hear him/her anymore when we cut down our trees--but he/she still has a place in or near our backyard. Some night I want to find him/her.

The end.

Gabriel

I am tutoring this 2nd grader in reading. Gabriel is so stinking cute! I already love working with him. He just started reading in English so it will be fun working with the transition from Spanish to English. He's a smart kid--funny too. He likes to tell stories (as most kids his age do). I had fun getting to know him today and can't wait to see his progress!

It's almost time!

My family is coming in 11 days and counting! I am beyond thrilled! To prepare (other than finishing up some house projects here and there) I went to the Dollar Store and got some Easter decor. I know...go big or go home, right? Don't worry, I'm not done.