Spring Time in ND

Just when we thought it was "warming" up we got hit with a little freezing rain, freezing fog, and all around COLD! At least it looked beautiful!

[View from our front door]

Side note: I drive by this cute red barn a lot and I really like it. I need to stop and take pictures but it's usually too cold. Next time.

This picture was floating around Facebook and I thought it was hilarious and totally appropriate!

Two Weeks in Paradise

My parents live on Balboa Island. They live there! Most people vacation there (or near there), but my parents LIVE there! It's awesome!

I spent two weeks in Southern CA with my family and I had a blast! The only bad part was that Josh had to work so he couldn't come : (

Here's a list of what the two weeks consisted of:

-Luke came home from his mission

-We rented a Duffy Boat and cruised around Balboa Island (complete with sandwiches and Sprinkle Cupcakes)

[Sea Lions]

[My dad, me, and Brady]

 

-Luke, Missy, and I got Disneyland passes so we spent a few FUN days at the Parks with our cousins

[The Group - we were outnumbered by the kids but it was a BLAST!]

[Me and Charlotte]

-Luke and I went to Disneyland one day by ourselves for "Big Kid Day"

[Us on Splash Mountain]

[Luke is awesome! And loves Star Wars!]

-We had a birthday party for Luke and Brady

-We went on daily walks around the Island

- I ate a lot of fruit! Yes, this is a HUGE deal because there is no fresh fruit to be found in North Dakota!

I'm sure there are other things I am forgetting but overall it was a great trip and I miss my family already!

2nd Anniversary!

As of March 21, 2013, Josh and I have been together for two years! TWO YEARS! Before Josh my longest relationship was a few months... maybe... That's why I'm shocked. Honestly. Seriously! I love him!

Well, we didn't do anything crazy like last year. It's hard to get away from North Dakota in the winter, so we just had a nice night at home : ) 

Hooray for us! 

Oh Technology!

My phone jumped out of my hand and landed on the tile floor. I swear it did. Yes, it did. I swear! IT JUMPED! I SWEAR!

Okay, I lied. I dropped it. Oops. My bad.

What is with me?! I've broken the screen on TWO different phones in the last 6 months AND my computer decided to jump out of my hands too! Yes, it did! I swear! IT JUMPED! I SWEAR! 

Okay, I lied. Again. 

Ugh!

It's frustrating how much we rely on technology. I hate it. I really do! I DO!

Okay, I don't.

: P

Computer Problems

I went home to CA for two weeks and I can't blog about it because my beautiful, 5-year-old Macbook is broken, again. My pictures are on my external hard drive but it is a Mac external hard drive so it isn't compatible with Josh's PC (which is what I am using right now).

A few days before I was heading to CA my computer decided to have a mental breakdown. The keyboard stopped working, it wouldn't turn on, it wouldn't turn off, it wouldn't charge, it would charge and overheat, etc. 

So, I decided to take my broken Macbook to CA with me so that I could have the nerds at the Apple Store fix it. I arrived in CA, took my computer in, got it diagnosed by the nerds, and they sent it off to be fixed. A few days later I received a call that it was all better! Yeah! They ended up replacing the entire keyboard and frame, installing a new battery, and a bunch of other things. AND it only ended up costing me $290 (which is a lot cheaper then buying a new $1200 Macbook). I was so excited! And one of the guys at Apple told me that it should last a lot longer if I take good care of it. DONE! : )

Well, I spent the next two weeks in CA (I'll blog about later), and then came home to ND. The Sunday after I got back, Josh actually had the day off. I was excited, but honestly I wasn't use to having him around all day. So, I did what I usually did: sat on the couch, watched TV, and played on my Macbook. When I was done using the computer I put it on the ground next to me. Big mistake! I ran off to take a shower and then CRACK! Josh stepped on my Mac : (

NOOOOOOO!

It was my fault. Who leaves a $1200 Macbook on the floor? This goober does. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried. I really did.

So, I took it to a computer place in Minot (no Apple Stores around here) and they just called and told me it would cost over $350 just to fix the screen AND it won't be ready until next week sometime! Ugh! I'm so mad! I can't believe I did that! 

Once I get my computer back I am going to take such good care of it and I'll catch up on my blogging!

Freezer Froze

I know it's an oxymoron, but our freezer froze. If it gets too cold your fridge/freezer can freeze up and stop working. So, I moved our food to a cooler and buried it in the snow. Smart, huh?!

 

Luckily, the freezer came back to life a few days later.

Count your blessings!

Bottom line: If we wake up with heat and running water, it's a good day up here in northern North Dakota : )

Welcome Home Elder Neilson!

Remember when my little brother left on his mission?! I do!!

Well, after two long years we are all gathered together to welcome him home! 

[Brady playing with trains]

Missy, Brady, and I made posters and bought Luke some balloons. I'm pretty sure Brady thought they were for him though : )

[Brady with his poster]

As per tradition, we headed to the airport to welcome Luke back!

[The group with our signs]

[Jessica and Me]

[LUKE!] 

[It was so fun to see him running down the stairs towards all of us]  

 [First hug goes to mom]

[Luke and Jessica]

[Luke, Dad, and Brady]

[Jared, Darbi, Luke, Haylee, and Walt] 

[Luke meeting Brady for the first time. Brady was born 3 days after Luke left] 

[Missy, Dad, Brady, Luke, Me, and Mom] 

[Luke and the happy parents] 

[Luke and the Grandparents] 

[Lisa, Luke, and Jody]

[The whole group]

After the airport, we headed to In-n-Out! It was delicious and a lot of fun to hang out with family.

[Luke with his signs and balloons]

[Brady] 

[Uncle and nephew]

Welcome back Luke! I am excited to spend this week with the family (minus Josh)!