To catch up:
We are loving our buys lives-work, church, church callings, cooking, grilling, having friends over, walking wells, visits from family, most recently my sister Heidi!

I was not feeling well one morning and asked Nick to make me some Nutella toast-he surprised my with heart! He is such a sweetie and continues to melt my heart in those small but meaningful acts of love and service. Its all in the details and little things.

We are enjoying our new grill and green grass in Dec. and Jan. Our favorite is cedar plank salmon.

I am taking a photography class and love it! The newest thing I learned about- card reader- best invention!

More post to come now that I can upload pictures from my mac and through the card reader.

hugs and kisses,
Renee & Nick

Wellington aka Wells, Nick's B-Day, Day at the Lake

Wellington is the newest addition to our family. Let me tell you how we acquired this cute little guy! We had a fairly large birthday party for Nick, around 30 people where we served smoked prime rib, salad and some yummy birthday cake. Nick's bosses children whom Nick is friends with knocked on the door with Wells in their arms and sang happy birthday. Nick's boss had offered Wells to us before, they wanted him to be in a more loving interactive home, but we weren't quite sure at the time. Now that we have him, we love him! Wells is a Brussel Griffon, he doesn't shed, is very calm mannered, enjoys walks and especially loves it when Nick wrestles with him. He does get very lonely and has tendency to bark when he is all alone but we are working on that. I found out today that Wells likes tuna fish, he gobbled up the leftovers from my tuna fish sandwich.

Last weekend Nick planned a day at the lake with friends. One of his clients/friends has a boat and was so kind to take us out for the entire day. The weather was perfect and it was fun to swim and be around the gorgeous desert landscape. We couldn't beleive this lake was only 45 minutes away from our house.

My wisdom teeth have really been bothering me so I got them taken out on Thursday. It was soo quick, it took about 20 minutes and my pain has veen very minimal so far, just praying that I don't get dry socket. Wells has been so great to keep my company and sleep at my bedside the entire time.

Sorry for such the lag in posting. Nick and I have been so busy that we have hardly had time to catch a breather.

We are loving our home and are still settling in and decorating. We have a few furniture purchases we need to make, ie formal dining room table and front room sofa and love seat. We will post pictures later when the house is all finished.

This what we have been up to the last few months:
1. Moving into our house, we had a ton of friends who did a great job helping
2. Assisting Nick's dad while in the hospital, rehab, and then recovery
3. New callings in our ward. I'm the miamaid advisor, Nick is the Elders Quorum secretary
4. Trip to Hawaii with friends Mike and Lateesha
5. We both traveled to Idaho for funeral of Kaylie Skousen-daughter of my dear friend Christine Skousen. Caught up with Nick's college friends and celebrated Irvin's birthday witha dinner out.
6. Our newest nephews Parker David Howard was baptized on May 10 so we traveled to Calgary for that special occasion- Nick is such a proud uncle and loves his nephew.
7. We just got back from Las Vegas over memorial day weekend where we had a fund pool party with our friends and then went to the Beatles Love show. The showe was amazing! and Nick and I had a great time talking on the road trip. We have so much fun together just sitting in the car.
8. I went to girls camp for 1 night and 2 days-It was such a pleasure getting to know the young women and helping with such fun activities. I feel so blessed for my calling and hope I may be a tool in the Lord's hand.
9. Nick and I are both still working at our respective jobs, we feel so blessed to both be working and saving up for when we have kids
10. This weeken Nick turns 29! We are planning a big b-day party at our house with games, good food, and friends. Nick and I have really enjoy entertaning and I am beginning to count it as one of our hobbies since we do it on a weekly basis.

We look forward to some downtime this summer!

We have found a home...

We are in the process of purchasing a beautiful home in the Foothills. It has 3 bedroom, 2 bathrooms and is approx 1700 sq. feet. My favorite part about the house is the gorgeous kitchen. Can't wait to start cooking in it!

Sorry the pictures are sooo dark, my flash was off. This is just a glimpse, more pics to come.

So much fun...

This last week was my 22nd Birthday and we had so much fun celebrating. Nick surprised me with a deal or no deal/ treasure hungt game. I got to find the envelope somewhere in the apartment then had to decide if what was written on the card would be my b-day present (deal) or if I wanted to move on (no deal). I got stuck on a dog of choice and decided to make a deal and now we will be getting a female lhasa apso in June! My friend from colleg, Cassandra also came down to celebreate and we had a fun day together doing crafts and visiting a friend on her mission.

Nick and I had a very busy valentine's day. We put a offer in on a house, yes that is correct, Nick and I might end up buying a house!! More to come on this subject later. For the evening to went to a Calgary Flames vs. Pheonix Coyotes hockey game. It was a blast!! Someone got married in between one of the periods and there was fun music that made us dance in our chairs. We had a fund time cheering for the Flames and they won 7 to 5.

A few weekends ago Nick and I went to my friend's (Cassandra) home in Tucson. They have a ton of citrus trees and so we juiced lemon juice for lemonade and prepared fruit for orange marmelade. I finished making the marmeladed and canning a few days later and every jar processed. We had a hame this weekend and the marmalade tasted great! Yeah for being domestic.

Thanks for the b-day wishes everyone. Hugs and kisses-Renee and Nick