It's Been a While...

Hello world! It's been quite a while since I wrote to let you all know how we are...there are a few reasons for this. First of all, I have been really busy with school again. I have gone back and I am currently working on some prerequisites for PA school, which I plan to apply to eventually. But for the moment, I am going crazy with 17 credit hours, and trying to fit some work and play in there. I have decided I am going to do nursing first and work as a nurse for a year or so and then I'll apply to the PA program at the U...busy future, but hopefully it is all worth it. Dax is back at Marketstar. He really likes it there and he stays pretty busy, which he doesn't mind.

The other reason I haven't written for a while is because I depressed myself with my last post. Every time I log onto my own blog I see Nikona's letter and I break down again. So I would read it over and over and eventually work myself up so bad that I would just log back off. I finally figured, the best way to not cry every time I log on is to add a new post so her darling face that I miss so much is not the first thing I see...although I wish it were still the first thing I see every morning. We miss her so much. She was like our child...and it has taken some time, but I think we are about ready to get another dog. We would like to get a house first...so we'll see how that goes. But as soon as we have a house, we will have another dog. Dogs just make life so much better, don't you think?

We honestly don't have anything too exciting going on. We are looking forward to a trip to Texas in June. Quinn is graduating from high school...CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?!? I can't...it seems like just yesterday he was his cute little munchkin self sitting in my dad's green and white truck pretending like he was driving. And those big blue eyes...they melt my heart. He had such a deep little voice. He'd say, "Dayee (that is how he would pronounce Kelli...Dayee), you play wif me?" Love my brothers...all three of them.

Carson has a girlfriend..her name is Kira and she is a doll. I told him if he doesn't marry her I will get rid of him and keep her. I love her to death, she is everything I hoped for as a sister-in-law someday. (You may think I am jumping the gun, but I believe they have plans...in the near future...) She is one of my new best friends. I'll have to post pictures of them. I don't have any pictures of her. I'm horrible at the camera thing.

Well, that is it for now. Hope you all had a great valentines day! Until next time... :)

Nikona the PRINCESS!!!!

For those of you who don't know, our sweet Nikona was hit by a car on October 16. It has been an extremely rough month for us, but I am finally okay to write about it. Instead of writing about what happened though, I have decided to write a letter...to THE BEST DOG IN THE WORLD!!!!!

Dear Nikona,

I miss you so much my heart aches. I never knew I could love a dog as much as I love people...but I do.

First of all, you are truly the best dog in the whole world. I knew the minute I met you that you were special. Remember the ride home? You cried because we took you away from your mama, but I knew you would be okay because I was your REAL mama. I was so sad when you got sick at 10 weeks old...and dad was so mad that I spent all that money to save your life. But I want to tell you a secret: he fell in love with you and would spend 100 times as much if we had to again. You were worth every penny. I want to tell you some of the things I love about you, Korn dog...

When I had a bad day at work and came home in a grumpy mood, my heart would soften the minute I saw your little head peeking around the corner waiting for your mom. You would get so excited to see me... Nobody ever gets that excited to see me. But you did every single day. I loved how as soon as I picked you up you would kiss me for 5 minutes and whine because you were so happy. When I felt like everyone in the world was against me, I knew I could always count on you to snuggle up to me and make me feel better. I miss laying in bed with you in the morning. You always knew when dad left for work to move up into his spot and cuddle with me. I miss waking up in the middle of the night with cold feet and having you right at the bottom of my bed where I could slide them under you to warm them up...and you would let me. Sometimes you would look at me like, "Really? You think this is comfortable for me?" but you still let me every time.

I miss seeing you lay on your corner of my comfy red rug. You always liked that spot, and it will forever be yours. I tell dad all the time that I think your spirit still lays there while we watch TV and then follows us to bed at night. I miss getting out of the shower in the morning and having you run into the bathroom the minute you hear the shower go off so you can lick the dripping water off my legs. I miss watching you try to bury your bone in your bed ha ha. Even better, I miss watching you take your bone under my bed to hide it...I think there is still one under there. I'm scared to look because I know if I find it there I will break down again. So, I'll leave it there for you! Please lay under my bed all you want, but remember to lay like a lady...okay okay, you don't have to lay like a lady:

I miss taking you for walks. I miss watching you sniff the wind. I miss asking you, "Do you want to go for a ride?" and seeing you run around in circles, then running over and standing at the door. Dad still hasn't cleaned his car window...your window, you know the one where you rub your nose trying to get us to roll it down? It still has your snot all over it...and he will not clean it. I know he gave you a lot of grief for messing up his windows, but he didn't mean it. He loves it now. He says it reminds him of you and he wishes you were here to mess it up again.

I want to be more like you, Kona dog. I want to be happy to be alive like you were. You loved being you, even though I think in your mind you thought you were a Great Dane, not a Shih Tzu. You had the heart and personality of a Great Dane. You loved everyone you met. You always had to run up to everyone and their dog to say hi...that is what you were doing that day. I know you wanted to say hi to the Lab across the street, but why didn't you stop when I yelled at you? You didn't always have to be so friendly...but then again, I know you. I know you saw that dog and you had made up your mind that you were going to make a new friend.

When the truck hit you Kona, I was in shock. My whole body went numb and I knew. I knew you had died already, which I'm glad you didn't suffer. But why? Dad held you for 45 minutes after it happened. We all cried and cried and we still do. I hate that I lost you. We buried your body behind Nana's house. I left you a bone there, in case you need a treat. Every time we come over, I come back and talk to you for a minute first thing. I know that makes you happy to see me. I just wish I could see you...but usually I close my eyes and I see your happy, sweet little face.

Last week Maggie found your crown! The purple one with sparkles on it. It was in her tea set and she said, "Mommy! Kona need her crown!" So they put it on your grave for you. You truly are a princess! Our princess...

I miss you, Kona dogs. And I want you to know that no matter what, you are always going to be my very most favorite dog. I know I will see you in Heaven. I want you to know I prayed and asked Heavenly Father to make sure he gives you a treat and some loves every day. I know He is taking good care of you. And I know you are making lots of friends! I am sure you are the social butterfly in doggy heaven. You are the best and we all miss you so much.

I love you with all my heart baby girl.
See you soon.

Good ol' Utah!

Well, we are back in Utah. Most of you probably knew that, but for those who didn't, there ya go. We're back!! This weekend we had a blast. On Friday we stayed the night at Dax's cabin. It's so relaxing up there. I love it at the cabin. It's so refreshing to go up and get away from the hustle and bustle of life. We played games and slept alot. Then on Saturday we got up and went to Causey for the day. We rented a kayak from Weber State and went out on the lake. We have talked about doing this for quite a while, so it was about time. It was the perfect day. The weather was just right and the trees are changing. It was beautiful. Enjoy some pics:

Kona was a little scared at first, she wasn't sure what was going on. Then she started getting more and more adventurous. I wanted a little purse dog, and this is what I got ha ha. A little princess who loves mud and water. She is a curious little gal and she loves nothing more than to get dirty and play play play. I just want her to be a girly dog who loves to get groomed and loves bows in her hair and sparkles and all that jazz...not so much. Whatev....

Look how low the dam is! It's crazy low. Still as beautiful as ever.

Jobs

I got a job!! On Tuesday I went in and met with a dentist who lives in our ward, and I got the job! I start on Tuesday and I am SOOO excited. The girls who work there are all so nice and the two dentists are awesome. I can't wait to start working again!

Dax is still searching for the right job. He has another interview today, but he still has that job with the landscaping company. We hope he gets something else this week, though.

Life is good, people. Life is good.

TEXAS

We are here. Sorry, I can't post pictures right now because I can't figure out what folder they are in. But once I figure that out, I will post some fun pictures of our move to TEXAS. Last Friday, Dax and I along with Tiff, Alan, Easton, and Maggie packed up and left Syracuse at 3:00 a.m. We drove all day on Friday and stopped in a little town in Southern Colorado called Lamar. We stayed there that night and then continued our journey on Saturday morning and we arrived in Rockwall, Texas on Saturday around about 5 or 6 p.m. The drive was LONG and UGLY ha ha. There is absolutely nothing beautiful about Wyoming, Colorado, or West Texas. But we finally started getting into the green area of Texas and I knew we were getting close.

I was so glad we had Tiff and Alan and their two cute kids to keep us company. I would have gone CRAZY without them. We got so bored at times that we would start singing crazy kids songs and at one point I could tell Tiff had had it when there was a semi infront of us and she said, "Truck, truckyyyyyyy, TRUCK!!!!!" Ha ha, good times. She was so worried about Maggie lasting the 20 hour drive, but she did AMAZING. She was so so good the whole time. About the time we finally pulled into Dallas we could tell she had had enough of the car. And of course, Easton was perfect, he always is. Easton and Alan rode in the "big truck" as Maggie called it with Dax. There were some times when E would ride with us, but for the most part he wanted to be with his Uncle Dax and his Dad. So we had a fun girls time in the 4 runner - woot woot! Thank you so much to T and Alan for all their help. Thank you to Easton and Maggie for keeping us smiling the whole time, and thank you to both mine and Dax's whole families for all their help. Everyone has been great.

We love it here in Texas. While T and Alan were here we went to the JFK Museum, the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, The Harbor (which is a big outdoor shopping mall with a movie theater and shops and food places) and we almost rode on a sail boat. We will do that next time they come. But we also ate out at a lot of fun places, did some shopping at Sam Moon, the best store EVER and pretty much enjoyed each other's company.

Now it is back to the real life. Dax has a job right now with a landscaping company which he is excited about, but he is hoping it won't be too long term. He has a couple other offers on the table right now with an Insurance company and a Medical Supply company which he has an interview with tomorrow. He's a hard worker and I couldn't ask for more. I have finished moving us all in and organizing our clothes, etc. and I am just waiting to hear back from that Dentist. I am hoping to start my job this week. I'll keep everyone updated.

We miss you, Utah and Jones Family!!!!!!! COME SEE US!!!!!!!! And we'll be seeing everyone next month hopefully when my family drives up and again in August.

I'll post pictures later. Tah Tah For Now!!!!!

Graduation!

We are officially college graduates. Thank goodness! Today was a really special day. This morning, President Monson spoke at our Graduation and then Dax and I both recieved our Bachelors Degrees along with our brother-in-law Alan. It was so much fun to have both of our families there to enjoy the day with us. We have wonderful families and are so blessed to have their love and support. I was so happy that my mom and dad were able to fly in from Texas and Dax's dad was able to come home from Downey Idaho. We love it when our families get to be here with us!

Goodbye Weber State University. You've been good to us! We'll kinda miss you...but not too much.

Here is what we have been up to for the past few months:

Hanging out with my dear family in Dallas Texas. We went there for Christmas and had a blast. In fact, we loved it so much we're going back...to stay for a while! :) This is a statue of Coach Tom Landry the first Dallas Cowboys coach (apparently).

Finding favorite pictures. I found this picture in the John F. Kennedy Museum in Dallas and got teary eyed. You're not allowed to take pictures in the museum, but I had to sneak this one because I love it so much. Isn't it sweet?

Seeing the Dallas Cowboys Stadium. This is Dax's heaven. He thinks we are getting season tickets to them. Maybe when we are rich seeing as how they are only a whopping 5,000 plus per person...yeah. Maybe we will stick to one game this year and save up for season tickets next year!

Standing right by where John F. Kennedy was shot. Pretty touching.

Watching 2 beautiful niece's get baptized. We are so proud of them! (Sorry, I don't have a picture of Faithy's baptism) We love Zoee and Faithy!

Welcoming an ADORABLE new nephew into the world. Welcome to our family Jones!! We absolutely love you and think you are the cutest baby we have ever seen!

Meeting Tony Romo.......................okay, actually we just met his locker. But it's still pretty cool! Maybe we will meet him someday while we are at a Cowboys game!

Enjoying WSU football games with our sweet Easton. He LOVES LOVES LOVES Football!! He and Dax are Cowboy's fans. We are hoping they will come to a game with us this year! We love you Easton! And man, don't those two boys look SMOKIN' with purple hair!?! Not many people can pull that off, but these two do it with absolutely no problem. Such handsome boys.

Hanging out with our family at The Boondocks! Ha ha, I love this picture. Maggie LOVES her uncle "Dac". She loves her Aunt "Kelkee" too, but nobody steals her heart like her uncle Dax. She could have stayed on Dax's lap all night long. This is her "cheese"! LOVE HER.