Tales of our Friends

We made so many lovely friends while we were in Richland, it would be impossible to tell you the tales of all of them, or how much they mean to us. We will try to tell you a little about some of them :o)

The Greer-Short Family

The Greer-Shorts were a very cool family. Brother Greer-Short was a nuclear engineer and worked at the labs. Sister Greer-Short was the primary president. They had four kids, their oldest daughter started her first semester of college and was away there for the summer getting settled and working; their next oldest girl was in high school; their next was a boy I believe in mid school; then their youngest was a sweet little girl in grade school :o) We met the Greer-Shorts at the ward picnic and sister greer-short asked us if we wanted to sub for primary the next day. We LOVED subbing in primary and we got to do it a lot this summer. I will tell you the stories about it later :o) The greer-shorts invited us over for dinner often, and it was always wonderful; Mark loved playing video games with their boy, and he thought it was sooo funny that and "adult" knew how, and was GOOD at playing video games :o) (HA! WE'RE ADULTS!) I loved coloring fuzzy posters with their youngest daughter (me and her were tight, she gave me a page of her favorite stickers); We all played "dodge ball" on the trampoline which was lots of fun. The greer-shorts loved to play, were very accepting, and very loving. They accepted us as part of their family. Sister Greer-short AMAZED me. She and her children came over to help us paint two days before we were leaving, and we had family night with them and cake. Then sister greer-short came over the day before we were leaving and helped us clean for HOURS while we packed to leave. We would never have gotten out of that house without her help; she and her family so lovingly served us, be friended us, taught us, and touched our hearts forever.

The Petersons

Sister Peterson and her husband lived around the corner from us. She had one son and their family in the house on one side of her, and another daughter on the other. They called it the "compound" :o) They were SO wonderful :o) Sister Peterson played the piano in primary and her daughters were in primary as well. They were SO fun. Sister peterson worked at the library and we got to see her there a lot (we didnt have internet, so to check our email we went to the public library) and she would also walk home from church with us at times and talk. She was a very interesting lady and I loved her stories. They had a black cat that liked to go on walks by the river :o) Sister peterson and her daughters LOVED to cook, and they invited us to go over to their house for the fourth of july and bring a friend with us. We were always allowed to use their herb garden, and visit. When we were leaving, sister peterson brought us their ward cookbook that she had compiled to give to us; it is the most AMAZING cookbook in the WHOLE world and I LOVE it. They are great people also, and they always made us feel welcome as well :o)

The Cates

Brother Cates was in the Bishopric. He is probaby the most talkative man I have EVER met :o) Je is SO FUNNY! and always made us laugh. I think we talked to him more at church than any other people :o) He always has a story about something, and he is very very nice :o) Sister cates is a really interesting lady, she is much more down to earth, and would always have to get her husband to finish talking and leave to do things :o) We ALWAYS saw them at the store, shopping, saturday night, at about 9 or 10 at night :o) We joked about the fact that we were both shopping for food at the last minute before sunday :o) We took them cookies when brother cates hurt his back. We walked down the street and took cookies to them and ended up staying and talking for quite late :o) They let us use their ladder to paint the house we were renting; brother cates volunteered sister cates to help us back our car :o) and we accepted their offer! That women, is amazing. I dont know how we would have packed the car without her help. Our car was full driving out, and we had all our stuff, PLUS two new bikes. We took one of the bikes to NM to give to goosie (my old bike) and so it was packed into the back of the car. She also brought over towels to help us clean, and ALSO took our boxes to the post office to mail to marks parents house AND refused to let us pay for the shipping. She was another of the angels sent to help us leave Richland in one piece.

The Haringtons

We have already talked about Jason and his wife and his children :o) They were great :o) They were so kind to befriend Mark from the moment they met him, I was so grateful for their kindness! Like I said before, they are wonderful people, and we loved working with thier kids and spending time with them :o)

In essence, we were OVERWHELMED by the friendship and kindness that welcomed us in Richland. I think that some of the nicest people in the world live in the North West; such nice nice people! They opened their arms, their homes, and their hearts to Mark and I, taking care or Mark while I was gone, making sure we had places to go for the holidays, befriending us, sharing with us, and taking care of us. Their example I will remember always, and I hope that Mark and I can emulate their kindness in always being mindful of the people around us who may need a place to go. :o) WE LOVE YOU ALL! THANKS SO MUCH!

The Temple!

Mark and I lived around 15 minutes from the temple, VASTLY DIFFERENT from the three hour drive to chicago from purdue, so we tried to go as often as we could. it is SUCH a beautiful temple, and I think it is one of out favorites ever! Here is a picture! So pretty :o)

One day, I was REALLY tired and we decided that we wanted to take a short little nap before we went. When we woke up, FIVE HOURS LATER...we had missed our temple appointment, and all the remaining sessions. :o) We ate dinner and sat out on the porch and talked to our neighbors. It was a very lovely evening, and while we were sad that we had missed the temple session...we were REALLY glad to have taken a nap.

Molly and Rager!

A bike shop down the street was changing locations and they had a 50% off sale. Mark and I liked to ride our bikes to the labs, and we decided to "just go in and look" after work one day.

We ended up staying for upwards of an hour (AFTER closing..oops!) and after riding several bikes, we walked away with TWO matching road bikes! :o)
My bike is named "MOLLY" (from tourmalet) and Marks bike is named "RAGER" (from bontrager). They are Le Mond marqe and FANTASTIC.

We LOVE our new bikes, they LOVE to go riding and they practically pedal themselves. :o) I like to see how far I can coast; Mark likes to see if he can break the sound barrier ;o)

Now, back at school in Indiana the bikes stay in the house with us :o)

BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST!!

MARK MADE ME BREAKFAST IN BED!! :-D He brought me a conglomeration of all my favorite foods!! :-DEggs! Broccoli! and cottage cheese!! this picture is sideways, but he shaped the eggs...into a heart :o)

aaaaaaw, how sweet!It was a WONDERFUL birthday! Mark also had planned on making me a cake, but we had already HAD a ice cream cake in the freezer that we needed to eat that we had made for when Marks cousin Spencer and Alyssa James and their new little baby Cooper had come through on their way to Reno...and so Mark made the very wise executive decision that we should wait on the cake. HE IS SO SWEET!! :-D I married the BEST-EST in the WHOLE WORLD!

Shooting Glocks with the Haringtons

Apparently, a glock is a sort of gun.

Mark made good friends with Jason Harington, a police officer in Kennewick (the town next to Richland). When we were in Richland, the town of Kennewick was in the process of finishing the new, ENORMOUS Kennewick police station and Jason offered to take us on a tour. I don't know how many of you have been to a police station... but this was first for me! :o) It was SO COOL!

The officers were allowed to take people through before they brought evidence into the station. There were a few areas that were tagged off, but we got to see a lot of the station! Interestingly enough, it was beautiful... and scary. It was very well designed for the work of the police, and Jason showed us a lot of the functionality. Like for example, in the evidence room, the police officer who collected the evidence tags it and stick it in a locker; after it is shut, the locker can only open from the inside where the evidence techs record it. Only two people can get into the evidence rooms (the two techs) and the doors are coded so they know who is in the room and what they touch. Jason said that process reduces the people who have access to the evidence, and that you can prove the trail of the people who have touched it.

Jason had a really different perspective on life and bad things that happen in the world (like crime and bad people) and it was really interesting to hear him talk about things. Mark and I liked spending time with he and his wife and listening to their stories and talking with them. They have three great children. We got to teach their little girl (and her cousin--they were SO CUTE!) in primary. (I will have to tell you stories of our adventures in primary later :o) Anyway, they are really interesting, and really funny people! This is one of my favorite stories about them. When he proposed to his wife, he got frozen oysters and put a ring into them and then buried them; they went on a date to "dig for oysters" in hopes that she would find the ring, and "oh! why look at that!" etc, etc. Well, the oysters were just frozen... not dead. When they warmed up, the wild blue yonder called... and lets just say it was a good thing Jason didnt put the REAL ring into the oysters ;o) They have this great picture of them standing in a three foot hole :o) She was like, "uh, Jason, I'm not having fun digging anymore...can we go?" he he! They left, and then the next day they went on a pick-nick, and Jason got a little pile of oysters and set the ring on top and told her the whole story and they had a good laugh about it :o)

Anyway, Jason invited Mark and I to go shooting at the police shooting range with him, his wife, his wife's two sisters, and his wife's sisters husband :o) We went shooting with them, and we shot some glocks and black powder rifles. It was a lot of fun! Jason gave us all a few shooting lessons, and then let us take turns shooting off rounds at the targets. I didnt think to take pictures until it was all over, so we have a few pictures, but none of the targets or anything :o) We drove off into the hills of Kennewick to the shooting range. It was cold in the morning, but it warmed up when the sun came up. I was really scared at first and I would close my eyes (NOT good) but I got better. Mark was really good :o) He also shot the black powder rifle and he got a really good shot! I shot it too...we wont talk about how accurate it was ;o) The black powder rifles were Adams (Jasons brother in law) and they go deer hunting with black powder rifles.

They are all really, really great people and it was such a blessing to get to know them as friends :o)

Here are some pictures from our adventures!


Here is Jason and his wife with Mark next to the scary police sign! :o) It says, "WARNING: POLICE FIREARMS RANGE, NO TRESPASSING"


Here is Mark and I by the sign


This is the range; those cement blocks are places where you stand. Everyone has to stand on the same level when you shoot, and move at the same time. You have to wait to move till everyone is done shooting. The officers qualify at the first set closest to the hill, like 10 feet or so. Jason says that is because most gun fights happen close range. Jason said we were REALLY good marksmen and that we did better than some of the police qualifiers (granted, we got to stand there and take all the time we wanted to shoot; they have a time limit when they qualify :o)



This is Jason opening the range


You have to put the yellow flag up when the range is active :o)

Now where was I...

I am going to pick up where I left off, somewhere mid july and continue postin through to the present day. :o) Cross your fingers! Mark and I will be spending all day in the airport, and will be in New Mexico for CHRISTMAS!! :-D We have been this weekend at Marks parents house, and his dad braved the perilous icy roads to get us here (THANKS DAD!!) It was pretty scary. The interstate was closed for 30 miles and we had to meander around in the counrty for a while to make it to Indy. Mark and his dad are EXPERTS. I would have thrown the towel in at the truck stop when Dad climbed up the running board of a semi to chat with the driver about directions since the interstate was closed. Plus, I about lost my breakfast when the truck started slipping a few times. I dont know it I will EVER get used to winter country roads! Well! We are boarding! Au revior!

Weather update

no, this is NOT a picture of outside our window...yet...but give it a few weeks ;o)

I know, I know, the last post was on the forth of july (albeit posted in OCTOBER...) BUT! I felt an overwhelming desire this morning to inform you all of some startling news. CURRENT WEATHER IN WEST LAFAYETTE INDIANA AS OF 7:43 AM EST:

Clear

11°F
Feels Like
-1°F


AAAAAAAAH!!!! SCREAM IN TERROR AND HIDE UNDER THE BLANKIES!!!

As I was awake and studying this morning, and happened upon the weather.com weather page graciously left open my mark (i think it is his most favorite page to play with :o)), and i took a peak. "OH MY GOODNESS! MY EYEBALLS ARE GOING TO FREEZE!! "

oh well! :o)

another note: it snowed two days ago and when mark got home from school, we took a wimter wonderland walk around purdue villiage ...in the snow!! :-D We sang Christmas carols, played on the park toys until our fingers froze off (which didn't take too terribly long) and then came home . (...it also may be important to mention that mark didn't get home until well after 10:45 pm so it was pretty late when we went out...i sure hope the carols didn't disturb out neighbors...or their pets...) It was a WELL NEEDED break from STUDYING! Finals will be over in a few weeks, and mark and I are REALLY EXCITED TO SEE OUR FAMILIES and to have some much needed time away from school :o) ...and yes...i forsee the posting of many, MANY blogs to get caught up :o)

p.s. upon further contemplation, I think my eyeballs are suffering from the competing processes of freezing stuck inside of my head due to inclement weather and falling out from exhaustedness of reading. I hope neither win. ;-)

The River of Fire!!

So!! For the Fourth of July, Mark and I were invited to have dinner with our friends the Petersons. They are REALLY nice people and they live right down the street from us. Sister petterson lives in the middle, and her two daughters live on either side of her house (they call it "the compound") :o) They are SO funny and so welcoming and all around fanTASTIC people. We sure love them. So! They had us over for dinner, and we brought out friend from work Elizabeth with us. They had a lot of people over, and the food was DELICIOUS. I really like any holiday that involves food and spending time with people that you love :o) Sadly, we had to leave early to go to the fireworks.

Mark LOVES fireworks. He told me that he thinks he has seen fireworks every year of his life expect for the two when he was in Ecuador. :o) I, on the other hand, and not to fond of them since I am kind of scared of explosive on fire things. But! We couldn't break Mark's little heart! So off we went to the "RIVER OF FIRE!".

We got their and waited for it to get dark:This is the two of us and our friend Elizabeth!

No one really knew where the fireworks were being shot from. Typically they were shot from the bridge, but this was the first year they were changing location. So, we re-parked the car closer and closer to the bridge in hopes that we would be able to be REALLY close to the fireworks :o) Marks likes to be able to feel the fireworks going off. Then you REALLY know you have been to a fireworks show.

...pretty sunset...
...not yet dark enough.......FIREWORKS!!! HOO-RAY!!!

It ended up that we didnt get close enough to the fireworks as Mark would have liked, and we could see another firework show across the river at the TRAC stadium that Mark thought was cooler, but we had a LOT of fun still! I sure like taking pictures of the fireworks!! I kept wanting Mark to look at the pictures of the fireworks...then I realized that its WAAAY better look at the REAL fireworks!!! :-D I like how when you take the pictures of the fireworks they make little explosion streamer lines :o)



Here are some more pictures of the fireworks for your viewing pleasure!:

Sunday Walks!

One of the things Mark and I especially like doing (when we have the time) is taking walks or bike rides on Sunday afternoons. This was especially nice in Richland as we had that fantastic bike trail right by our house :o)
There was lots of cool things to see. Plants, cool toys in the park, and always lots of people in the parks and on the water having lots of fun. There are LOT of fun things to do on a big beautiful river with boats and toys! People would be out with their dogs and throw sticks in the water and the dogs would go and get them. A few times we stayed and watched people play with their animals, I think it is so cool to watch dogs swim in the river. We would walk down to a park bench and sit on the bench swing together and talk. The first time we went there were LOTS of ducks on the shore, so after that we ( I) would bring bread on our walks to feed the ducks. I was REALLY excited about feeding the ducks and ESPECIALLY the geese since my sister The Goose is at home and I can't feed her ;o) But, alas, the geese and ducks were no longer out after that first adventure! We think it is becasue as the summer wore on, more and more people were out, and the birds got wise and stayed on their island. This didn't prevent me from faithfully bringing bread whenever we went and diligently look for ducks and geese. Sometimes we would see them waaaaaaaaay out in the water and I would yell real loud "HEY!! DUCKS!!! HEY WE HAVE BREAD!!!!" and then enlist mark to help me lob gobs of bread in their general direction (since he is a much better bread lobber than I am :o) But essentially...no...we did not get to feed any ducks:o( On one occasion we got pretty close to feeding some ducks. We found a little family of ducks in this stinky little side pond so I climbed down into the brush to get close and toss the bread to the ducks, but momma duck was REALLY good at being protective, and whenever I got close to throw it, she swam away...and she swam away ....and she swam away... :o(

*sniff sniff*

BUT! there is always next summer! :o) Mark is such a wonderful, patient man and he helped me try to feed the ducks EVERY time we went! :o) How thankful I am to be sealed to him, and how wonderful it is to be able to make such happy memories with the greatest guy in the whole world!!
We really liked the plants and the sun sets on the river :o) So pretty!!!

Anniversary Pie!!

Woo-HOO!! :-D

So! Mark and I were Married on December 21, 2007. For those of you good at calendar-ing, this means that our 6 month anniversary would land on?....(drum roll please)...ding! ding! ding! thats right! June 21st!

If you got that right, you are more astute than Mark and I (mostly the "I" part in Mark and I) :o) SO! yes, Mark and I forgot our 6th month anniversary...until we were sitting on the floor on Saturday night...at around 9pm...finalizing our talks for the next day...when we stumbled across our anniversary date as we were deciding who would be introducing us in their talk and saying how long we had been married :o) Mark pulled out his phone to settle the matter and see exactly how long we had been married and... oh! why look at that! we have been married 6 months TODAY! :-D

Ha ha, how funny! I guess that goes to show how low key Mark and I are. In retrospect, it WAS a really nice anniversary, even if we didn't KNOW it was our anniversary. We didn't have too many things to do that day and we got to spend a lot of time with one another, and we slept in, it was all around a wonderful day :o) How funny the way we remembered though!

Good thing Mark figured it out, I was WAAAY behind the times trying to convince him that no, 6th months from December is in JULY not JUNE silly Mark!...(it really is in June though, mark told me) ;o)

SO! to celebrate: The next day we had anniversary pie! :-D And since my husband is so wonderful and so nice and so stinkin' handsome...we had BLUEBERRY anniversary pie!!


Now THAT, is a delicious looking blueberry anniversary pie if I must say so myself.

It had an almond and cinnamon and brown sugar butter crumble-ly stuff on the top :o) mmmmm....nummy...
I liked it...
Mark liked it...

...all in all! it was some pretty good anniversary pie :o)