Meet Bachelor Number 1....

This week has been c-r-a-z-y. I feel as though my life is a train and I'm running to keep up with it! But nothing puts a smile on my face like blogging (okay that's not true, lots of things make me smile) so lets' blog.

Allow me to introduce you to Jessica's boy friend Chad or more formally know as Chadley. One of the main reasons I wanted to go to Idaho was to meet Chad. He's been dating my MOH/ cousin Jessica for the past nine months, so I figured it was about time I put him to the test. From the limited amount of time we spent with him I noticed a few things about him I liked. 1. He's a lot like Jakob. He has the same sense of humor and a lot of Jakob's personality traits. Lots of times I would look at him and say "that's something Jakob would say/do." How can you not like someone who's like your husband?

2. Once again. just like Jakob, he doesn't like to take a pretty picture. This was a little annoying after I took 30 useless pictures. Some of them, like this one, do make me smile though.

3. Chad is an advid sports fan! He loves basketball, so while we were watching BYU lose last week he was an ocean of emotion.

4. Jessica and Chad are adorable together. It seriously made me sick. Never have I ever been the "third wheel." I was always the one who had the boyfriend or Jakob and everyone else was always the odd one out. This was an entirely different experience for me, and who can fault them? Their young and in love and hadn't seen each other in a whole five days. I remember back when Jakob and I were apart, it sucked.

It was awesome being able to meet this fine fellow, coincidentally one of Chad's roommates was one of Jakob's companions on his mission. Small world. I'm looking forward to when Jess and Chad can visit us. After all Jakob hasn't given his stamp of approval yet. ;)

Just Keep Sewing...

Just keep sewing, just keep sewing, sewing, sewing. What do we you sew, sew. La la la la la la la la.

That little tune was in my head all day yesterday while Mom Tobler and I were sewing clown pants. While up in Rexburg we decided that we wanted to have a craft day. I was in need of a clown apron and Jessica and Summer were simply happy to have someone to guide them along the way. Let me clarify: I am in no way up to the standards on Mom Tobler, the only reason I have been able to whip out such nice items is because of her constant supervision. Yes, it does help to understand what she tells me to do, but for the most part I'm lost. Give me a pair of P.J's and an apron, no problem but I am in no way a seamstress.

So in keeping within my repertoire, that's just what we made, aprons. I felt silly, while the girls were picking out cute and adorable fabrics, I was looking for something that said "clown". One cute pattern later and we were off to Summer's house where the cutting began. These girls however had zero sewing experience, so I had to guide them through every step. Is this how Mom Tobler feels?

Three girls to one sewing machine= long waits. Not that we weren't grateful to at least have a machine but you could tell the level of enthusiasm dropped down after the first half an hour. After 3 hours I decided I'd simply finish mine at home and let the girls crank theirs out. I sent Jessica to the machine to sew her pockets on and she did just that, sewed them shut. They are now "decorative patches." It was rather humorous.

There is never a dull moment when girls are together. Meet Summer! She is the most adorable and sweetest gal I have ever met (even if she did accidentally burn me with the iron.) While sewing on her waist ties she scurried of to the washroom and a couple of seconds later called for her husband. Curious we asked if she was alright. She had broken the needle in the sewing machine. Not only had it broken it had snapped off and hit her in the eye! Poor Summer! Hayden (her husband) went over to see what was wrong with the machine. Having never played with a sewing machine before he unplugged it thinking it might shoot him in the eye as well. Such a man!

We had a lot of fun sewing together! It was really nice to still get in my day of crafting for the week! Even with all of the mishaps we had a blast. We learned when all else fails Just keep sewing, just keep sewing, just keep sewing sewing sewing...... even if it doesn't look perfect. :)

BYU

While visiting Rexburg I wanted a tour of the campus, only problem was... it was freezing! So Jessica, Leanne and I hopped in her car and they took me on an in car tour (Much warmer). The campus was really pretty and you could feel the spirit that it had. I loved seeing how excited the girls were to show me what buildings they attended class in and where the major events take place. That evening there was a production going on and you could hear the music as they rehearsed.

My favorite part of the tour however was driving by the temple. It was too chilly so I didn't get out, hence the crooked temple and cropped off Moroni. You can see the Rexburg temple from almost anywhere in the city. It sits up on top of a hill and at night is lit up. To me it was a constant reminder, just as a lighthouse is to a sailor, helping to weather to storms in our lives.

Even with all of the crazy rules, I really did enjoy being surrounded by people with the same standards as mine. I was not bombarded by all of the wicked things in this day and age. I loved the spirit that was there and the fellowship. To answer the Tobler's question, no I did not get any offers. People are pretty ring conscious in BYU. Once they asked if I was married it was like I had the plague or something, they hardly noticed I was there. I did however run into one of Jakob's mission companions. He was room mates with Jessica's boyfriend. It was nice to "know" someone other than my family members. Small world.

Happy Birthday Leanne!

Leanne's birthday is on April 3rd, so I decided instead of sending her a card next week I would celebrate with her a little early.

I felt so tacky making this card. Really I simply drew a sun and cloud. If any of you happen to read my card blog you'll know that this simply does not fly in our home. However, being 10 hours away from my Cricut and all scrapbooking supplies, I figured I could make an exception. What you're a college student with no wrapping paper, you have to get creative, so I wrapped it up in an apron...

... And I may have stuffed it in a tampon box! I had to surprise her somehow! After all she did just try it on with me in the store 20 minutes earlier.

Happy 20th Birthday Leanne! May this year be filled with love, joy, adventure and laughter. Love you lots!

Knee High Socks

On Monday I flew into Idaho to visit my two cousins whom are both attending BYU there. So far, there have been a few key things that have caught my attention.

1. Knee high colored socks. It makes sense really, I mean It's freaking cold here (yes, I know I am Canadian but I didn't know any better. I still love my country but I love the heat more. I am a lizard. NO I am not an American I'm a lizard. End Rant)

2. EVERYONE. well, almost everyone (and I say almost to avoid offending the select few whom are not) are LDS. I grew up in a city where the LDS population was sparse. Our ward covered 3 cities. Here and in Vegas, to a point, it is covered with LDS members. It kind of freaks me out. All of the spirituality and modesty everywhere. Not that I don't like it, It can simply be overwhelming at times. :)

3. Stilettos in the snow?!?!?!?!?? I grew up in the snow. We would wear boots to the door and then change into our sexy shoes. Nope not here. Stilettos in the snow!!!! I don't know about you but slipping around in stilettos is simply not attractive. Okay enough on that.

4. People simply walk into your apartment, which is neat but annoying. I enjoy the bonding and the "hanging out" feeling of it all, but when we're all bumming around in our P.J's it can get a little annoying which brings me to the next thing I noticed.

5. YOU'RE NEVER ALONE!!!! Oh my word, I think this was the hardest adjustment for me. There were 5 girls (usually there's six) to each apartment which made for a ton of hair everywhere and no privacy. The only time I was alone was the few minutes I was in the shower, and even then I was worried I was taking up someones allotted shower time.

In summation BYU is simply not for me. Not that it is a bad school, because it's just the opposite, it's a fabulous school, I was simply thrown into it with no expectations which was overwhelming. I had a lot of fun however and was grateful to have the opportunity to be able to visit my cousins. They rock. I'll post more on what we did while we were there. But I'm off to get ready for church. :)

Bucket List

The other day I was sewing at Mom Toblers when she had the Young Women in her ward come over for a barbecue and to create bucket lists. Just thinking about it made me want to dig up my old bucket list. I wrote this when I was 14 and even though completing everything on this list would be fabulous, I now see that it probably will not happen. Some of these things are silly, fun, adventurous, or what I thought (at the time) would be romantic. I even put things down such as completing my Young Woman's Personal Progress because it was something a had already accomplished. I love looking back at old memories. I've changed so much since then.

dance in the rain Summer of 2006
write a song
kiss a frog
go to Paris
go to Australia
graduate with honors
jump off of a waterfall
be a cheerleader
shave my head
squish grapes with my toes
work in a bridal shop
see my reflection in my children's eyes
learn a second language
get married in the temple August 1st, 2009
slow dance on a beach
listen to him sing me to sleep
sky dive
catch a firefly
bungee jump
complete the Young Woman's Personal Progress 2002
fly a plane
be on the news once in high school for a bike-a-thon and Christmas 2010 for Make-A-Wish foundation
see an active volcano
swing on swings with him
be a mom
be on the price is right
fall completely, hopelessly, head over heels in love
see the grand canyon May 6th, 2011
climb on the rocky mountains (rock face) (through the snow) Hilda Creek
help convert someone to be a member of the church
live on a farm for awhile
ride a bull
have my portrait painted
learn to ballroom dance January 2009
shoot a gun January 2011
eat fish or seafood November 2007
spend the night in a haunted house
make it to cheer provincials April 2006
help someone in need (Obviously have done this a few times but it never hurts to keep going)
go see an opera November 2008 Phantom of the Opera
go on a picnic with him
go to college (I took two classes at CSN and got A's in both :) 2011 )
catch a fish
fall asleep in his arms :)
Audition for Canadian Idol (I suppose it'll have to be American Idol now... Just for fun)
Be in the newspaper We were in the Calgary Harold for our garbage picking with out wedding camera
go to a drive in movie theater Summer of 09 (Batman II)
name a star
have my palm read
ride an elephant in Africa
get a professional massage
teach someone to swim
take our children to Disneyland
go in a shark cage
swim with dolphins
see a bald eagle
go watch the Olympics
have a tickle fight with him :)
go to Italy
go to Holland
have someone look at me and just say "Wow" Aussie (Travis) in White Dress
paint a masterpiece
lay under the stars with him all night
scuba dive
wish upon a shooting star Summer of 2008 and my wish came true
see a lunar eclipse
see the northern lights
see a flying squirrel
do some modeling
write a children's book
learn to surf
run barefoot in the snow cheer practice 2007
learn to play the guitar
have a mud fight
sleep in a field
learn to play the violin
kiss under mistletoe
touch a starfish
be on the radio I won a x-box game the first time I ever called in on the bounce
learn sign language
be an extra in a movie
send a message in a bottle
kiss him upside down like Spiderman :)
ride in a hot air balloon
shower under a waterfall
learn to juggle
have my heart broken :(
walk up the Eiffle Tower
walk the Great Wall of China
find a four leaf clover
plant a tree
teach a child to tie their shoes
ride a camel in the desert
go shopping in New York
save a life
run a marathon
go on a safari
hear my Grandpa say I love you (it took him 17 years and I've only heard him say it twice)
pet a lion or a tiger
pet a kangaroo
hold a koalawatch the sun set with him
go to an Oilers hockey game January 2007
crowd surf
jump out of a giant cake

There is Beauty All Around

I'm sure most of you are thinking, is this what your life consists of? Hiking and sewing? My answer to you would be no...I also dress up as costumed characters, paint faces, twist balloons and yard sale. What a life! And I'm telling you I love it! I have a super *ahem* sexy husband, fabulous job & a wonderful family on both sides of the equation. I am one lucky girl. All that's missing is a baby. Okay, well not yet.... we have no room for a baby and I really enjoy my 8- 10 hours of sleep every night. As Jakob would say..."NO babies." But soon. I'm getting off subject... hiking.

It's that time of the week again. Oh how I look forward to Thursday's! Only this time we brought a guest. Jakob's on spring break so we figured we should bring him along for the rock scrambling hikes so if we get stuck he could help us. In the beginning he was use less. He march ahead, blazing the trail, without even looking back. Gone are the days where we had to be within ten feet of each other or we'd get nervous.

Well I suppose he wasn't entirely useless. One thing I've learned over the past month, hiking involves a whole bunch of bum shots. Glamorous.... I think not. Moving on...

I don't think Mom Tobler really trusts me to lead the way anymore, after all Jakob and I did get her stuck a time or two. If you'd like to know what her scared/ disappointed/ confused face looks like here it is. But she figured if the children in front of her could do it then she could do it too. Of course she did it her way, to avoid her being embarrassed, I refrained from posting that picture. Let's just say it works for her.

This would be a look of relief, triumph with a slight hint of embarrassment. She's such a good sport and I love her for it!

Places like these where clearly there is an easier way worry dear mother. Not me, last week perhaps, but this week I had my new hiking shoes. It's like having Velcro on my feet! I love them! Light weight, comfortable and best of all cheap. Oh yes, add finding a steal of a deal to my earlier list pertaining to what my life consists of. The hunt! I love searching for that perfect something and only paying 1/3 or less of what it would retail for. It's similar to hiking in a way. I love hunting for new adventures and discovering places other people were simply to lazy to find. Do you like how I tied that in there? Pretty clever... not.

Sometimes I pay for my adventurous behavior. Getting up is easy it's getting down that the scary part.

I remember our first hike the first time I visited Vegas. Mom and Dad Tobler took us up to Mount Charleston. Jakob and I couldn't go 15 feet without stopping to pose for a picture. Now we have to argue with Jakob to get him to look "naturally happy." I think we've given up the battle for the perfect 10 Tobler's. Jeff and Amy have been married 7 years now (?) and they always look adorable. Jakob and I have too much goofy in us to make a perfect 10. :)

I really enjoyed exploring around Calico. There were caves and beautiful rock formations. We felt we had walked a good distance when we picked a place for lunch.

Mmmm mmm mmm. I love subway. There is something so satisfying about eating food you didn't prepare yourself. It always tastes better than a sandwich you made at home. I suppose Jakob would have to disagree when it comes to the Manwich. In summation we love food!

It was so nice adventuring as a family. I love having Jakob home! I wish his spring break would last a little bit longer. I am anxiously awaiting December to arrive so Jakob's hours are a little more manageable. I know there are some Tobler's who have it worse, (alright much worse) in all actuality we have it pretty easy. Nine to five is looking mighty fine however. I love being able to spend quality time with him when it's just family. No school, no work, no stress. It's back to the grind on Monday for dear Jakob and I'm off to Idaho for my spring break! I get to spend a week with my cousins and see with their lives are like in Rexburg! It will be a week full of estrogen so Jakob was willing to miss out. What have you done/ are going to do for your spring break?

Errr... I Think We're Lost Again!

For those of you who follow both myself and Mom Tobler's blog this will be a repeat (times two). Every Thursday we get together and hike at Red Rock. Two weeks ago, we decided to hike Keystone Thrust, what was noted to be most significant geological feature in the Red Rock Canyon. We're always up for taking pictures of something significant. So off we went, figuring the river bed was the beginning of the trail. When looking at the picture the trail looks so obvious. Don't ask me what went wrong, we both have short term memory issues.

After hiking along the river bed for quite some time, we began to think we were slightly off course. Even though we were enjoying the scenic riverbed we figured we should find the trail we saw people walking on.

After hiking for an hour and a half we ran into some other hikers and asked them if we were getting close. They asked us where we were going. I silently judged them, what a stupid question. HEELLLLO we're on the only trail, where do you think we're going? It was then we realized we were hiking the White Rock loop and that we were about half way around. Oops. So we decided to turn around and hike Keystone thrust the following week.

Last week we were determined not to get lost. After all this was the most significant geological feature in the Canyon. It must be good! Once again the adventure began.

I still have cell phone service and we just pasted a marker, so far so good!

Here is some evidence that I don't secretly higher a photographer to follow me around and just call her "Mom Tobler." She really is there. Isn't she just darling! We were expecting something impressive, perhaps with a plaque informing us we had arrived at the Keystone and we should take in all of its wonder and beauty. But alas, nothing, so on we hiked.

In my opinion this "Flintstone" house was the most impressive thing on this hike. Someone took a lot of time to create this and boy it made me smile. Once again further proof I was not alone on this adventure. Most of the time I take pictures of Mom Tobler taking pictures. (Note the camera in her lap)

At this point we had lost the hikers that we were closely following. I suppose they knew what they were looking for and had turned around. No, not us, the trail continued and we were still convinced there would be a sign saying stop here.

Yes, you guessed it, we got lost. Exploring is my favorite part, after all, we couldn't get all the way here and come to find we missed it. Perhaps the Keystone was on the other side of that ledge?...... So down I went. Of course I went straight down, which resulted in me rolling into a cactus, (ouch) Mom Tobler is a little more cautious in her approach. See her all the way up there?

Lost, confused and slightly disappointed we decided it was time to return home. After all I had a clown dress to finish. Once again I headed straight up the face. I could tell Mom wasn't all the excited about my method, but she followed figuring if we're going to be lost we had better be lost together. Oh, how I love her!

Needless to say we have getting lost down to an art. Below is the actual "geological feature" Don't get me wrong, It's pretty but I was expecting a natural arch or something. I suppose it must be impressive because I took a picture of it.

I love our new tradition! It's starting to get warm here in Vegas (finally). I am loving the warm sunshine, and hiking is the perfect way to soak it up! Soon we'll have to head up to Mount Charleston too keep cool. Happy Thursday everyone!

Goodbye Cruel World

Jakob and I are the proud parents of our little reptile child Sig. He's a special turtle who likes to drown himself when drinking water. As you can see he sticks his entire head under the water, and not for a couple of seconds mind you, he was under water for a good 5 minutes. At first I took a few pictures, thinking it was cute. After all he's done it before, I just never watched him the entire time. Then I started to panic. What if our turtle is suicidal? I almost killed him once before. (Long story short, he was in deep hibernation and I thought he was dead. I mean he didn't even move when I accidentally dropped him. Wow, I sound like I abuse my dear turtle. It was only a little fall, never mind, the point is he didn't move and I was very emotional. Dead things freak me out. After I calmed down a bit I brought him inside and he was in fact alive. That wasn't a very short story, sorry. ) We sure do love our little reptile child, he's slowly but surely reviving from hibernation. Soon he'll be good company once again.

Recreate

Are you sick of my dress posts yet? Three months ago my aunt Brendalee and I were out on the hunt at Deseret Industries. I have a testimony of D.I. (well thrift stores in general) they still rank number 2 following yard sales, but there is no limit to the treasures you can find if you're patient. On this particular venture I was on the look out for a dress, for a mad hatter party a friend was planning, when I spotted this beauty. I fell in love instantly and had to try it on. It was a size 1, of course it didn't zip up all of the way, but for $15 I bought it anyways, with the thought to tear it apart. Why not put a corset in the back? I absolutely love it. I will show you pictures of the front once we have the party. It just goes to show what can be accomplished with a little patience and a sewing machine.