The van Gorson Sisters

I'm sure some of you are thinking van Gorson? Who is that? It all started back in 2005, Jessica, Alanna (not pictured, she lives in Huston), Leanne and I became super close. I mean we have always had a family reunion every 2 years and spent 6 weeks together as a family, but this year was different, we bonded on a deeper level than ever before. We were no longer simply family but friends. Everyone would ask us if we were sisters, and we thought, why not? So we put our last names (van den Berge, Gorbahn, and Thompson) together to form the van Gorson sisters, just because when you're 15 years old, that's the cool thing to do!

We have shared so many fun times together. Most of my childhood memories are with us 4 girls. Extended family was a huge part of my life growing up. We would have a 6 week family reunion every two years and on the summers in between, my family would drive (yes, drive) down to California or Texas to once again be united as a family. If something significant would happen in our lives we'd call our relatives to let them know. Making the distance between us seem a little bit smaller.

To Jakob the bond as family is a little different. He is close with his brothers, the Tobler clan has Sunday night party lines (conference calls) so that they can keep in touch. But if you asked Jakob to name all of his cousins he couldn't do it. To him cousins are family that he saw for a week once a year at Grandma's house. They are family and he loves them but the bond isn't the same. Granted, both Toblers and Palmers (Mom Toblers side) have a few more relatives than the 12 grand kids in our family.

All of us girls were born within 18 months of each other. Growing up these girls became my best friends. I never had a sister to confide in and my cousins filled that gap.

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to visit the girls. I missed them dearly! I'm so thankful for the bond that we share and I hope we can keep that tie strong throughout our lives. I love them and the members that were not there, we kept you close in our hearts. Thank you for being a constant example and support in my life.

The Coca Bean

"Founded by Gary Rasmussen and Gloria Mugleston, the cafe's gourmet cupcake recipes are all original-- Over 40 tantalizing flavors." -Idaho Falls Magazine (March 2011)

Welcome to the Cocoa Bean! Every girl needs their sweets and there was no better place to satisfy our sweet tooth than at the Cocoa Bean! I mean really, does it get any better than beautiful, rich, fluffy cupcakes and raspberry white satin hot chocolate? I think not!

Jessica and I had the Dirty Turtle which was (and don't quote me on this) a chocolate cake made with chocolate cream (instead of milk) covered in a homemade buttermilk glaze with creamy mint Oreo frosting. Is your mouth watering yet?

It was hard to pick just one! I would be huge if I lived in Rexburg! There are also locations in Provo, UT & Ammon, ID. If you are ever in the neighborhood I would highly recommend you checking them out!

Bon Appetit!

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