Love & Adventure in Manti, UT

So Spencer and I passed our 4 year mark on the 13th! He planned a delighful, relaxing getaway to Manti, UT. Yes, you heard that right. To the Yardley Inn & Spa. It was cute, quaint and comfortable. We stayed in the Lavender and Lace room. The night started out at Roy's Pizza, really yum, almost as good as my mom's homemade. Then to the ice cream shop to bust our bellies with that yummy sinful stuff! Then off to the podunk bowling alley, not for bowling, but for pool tables and pinball. Bride Wars came next at the local 2-show theater. Then we hit the sack, ready for "the day." We opened it reading in the plant-filled, relaxing Selarium, then a yummy provided breakfast. Then, we hit the large and in charge jetted tub for some more *relaxation. After getting ready we headed off to the beautiful, old structured Manti Temple. It is/was an amazing experience. We LOVE to see the Temple. After dinner we hit up the bowling alley, where you have to keep your own score! Remembering to count your pins before the second roll was quite a task! After another round of pool, where I finally won, we headed back to *cozy up in our room for the last night. It was romantic, special, and a very needed get-away. I adore you Spencer love, you are perfect for me. Here's to another 4 more happy, adventure filled years!

We decided to end our time-off with some snowshoeing. We did the short, very well traveled trail to Donut Falls. It took an hour, and Spencer got a pretty sweet picture. We had a few little hills we slid down on our bottoms. Watch and see the simple joys of life and laughter.

Winter Festivities...Jealous?

10 hours to build and $70 later...impressed? We are!

Jynx is one lucky & loved kitty.

Lucky for us...He LOVES it!

Ugly Sweater Party

What would it be like without one of these?! This was actually our first one. It was super fun, at our good friends house. Spencer won the UGLIEST SWEATER...take a look, there is nothing more to say!

We had 5 of 7 of Spencer's close friends over for a party...Rock band and Spencer were out of control!

Small Christmas

We took the challenge of our neighbor and from Nov 1 to Dec 24 we read the 4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke & John) and 3rd Nephi. This is all about Jesus Christ and his life. It was amazing, and we met our goal to have it read by Christmas. Our testimonies of the Savior has grown, and the spirit we have felt, and that has been in our home has been awesome. It made Christmas a lot more meaningful, having our focus on the Savior, rather than what we were giving and receiving.

We enjoyed a small Christmas this year together. The best gift to us was to have 6 days off work and spend every one of them together! All the family parties were done by the 20th, so we were able to relax and enjoy most of Christmas in the comfort of our own home! Our new home was the main present, and we just gave eachother a few small things.

Family Parties

It was fun to get together as a family and see everyone. Thank you everyone for all the wonderful gifts.
Christmas w/Mom Glade. We had the world's best homemade tacos, opened family presents, watched the super cute kids, played with the kitty, and enjoyed each others company.
(We received super awesome snow boots for Melina, Dark Knight DVD & Cute homemade scarf for Spencer, and a surprise picture from Matty to come - sure to be super sa-weet!)

Christmas w/Dad & Kim Glade. Ate lots of food, opened stockings and presents, watched the super cute kids. (received happenings coupon book and gift cards, free food!)
Christmas w/Maughan's. The kid's acted out the nativity story, then went crazy and opened family presents. There was wrapping paper and excited kids everywhere! (received another set of silverware, that makes 16! An electric blanket and cute vinyl pict "We may not have it all together...but together we have it all. The Maughan Family")

Back for Seconds...Scott's Peak

Evergreens. Snowmobiles and paths. Beautiful. Hills are Hard Work. Windy up Top. Super awesome view! GPS tracking to go straight DOWN the mountain instead of using the trail...fun and adventurous! We love these snowshoes.

Winterwonderland Joy

These

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Snowshoeing up Little Cottonwood Canyon, Temple Quarry Trail. It was sooo beautiful, peaceful and FUN!

High Esteem

It was love at first sight in that dingy car lot. Shiny BYU blue, 56,000 miles, made for the perfect first car. Born in 2001, she's been low maintenance and is still runnin' great. Happy 100,000 mile mark! GoGirlGo.

Worth It

I got down on all four's today like a kitty to demonstrate to Carla the fish flop/drunken sailor Jynx acted out when I put this cute sweater on him! It was hilarious, we laughed until we cried. You had to be there, it was worth it.

Introducing...JYNX

Early MERRY CHRISTMAS Morning for ME today! Spence was so cute, lighting the fire, Christmas music, and the suspense. He had me get my pj's on and wait in the bedroom. I had no idea what was going on, but know not to ask questions b/c Spencer is just a sweetheart with random cute things. So he came to get me, he covered my ears and eyes and led me to the living room...to uncover the newest part of our family...sweet little JYNX.Spencer finally broke down and did it, he is so thoughful. Jynx is about 3 months old, Orange and Soooo cute, and really smart (he has used his litter box every single time)!and is super funny, I've been laughing all day at the funny things he does. He is Very playful, fun, adventurous, cuddly and has a loud purr. Spence and I had a moment (we cried) b/c of the *sentimental value of the orange kitty. We have taken 30 picts already this morn and night. We are so excited for this little new adventure! I LOVE him so much. It is no longer "just us" anymore. So here's the Scoop: Spencer had thought about this for a while and decided he was gonna do it. He started looking for a male, orange kitten born or yet to be born. He found one in Ogden and Heber, but before having to travel that far he found one at the SLC Animal Shelter! So Spencer found our little guy in cage C57. He had to decide and take him home in 1 week, or the kitty is up for anyone. So Spencer went through the adoption process, had an interview on Monday, and the little guy was neutered on Tuesday morn and ready to be picked up that afternoon to be OUR new kitty. He took the kitty to my mom's house for Carla/Matt to watch him until he was given to me. There was some little "white lies" told to me by Carla, my mom and Spencer the last couple days, and weird things going on that makes perfect sense now! Aren't surprises fun?! So Matt and Carla very quickly got attached to little Jynx and they all decided it would be best to give him to me Now, rather than wait until Christmas when Matt would be devastated to give him up after having him for 2 weeks. Fortunately Spencer didn't have to work until noon today, so he set it all up for this morn! It really did feel like Christmas morning, we played and watched Jynx all morning, not even noticing the time. I didn't get into work until noon either, thank goodness for great employers! THANK YOU Sweet love, and Carla/Matt/Mom! It was such a great, fun, cute surprise, I had no idea! Get ready for some picts.
First S&M Maughan family pict.He ran straight to the fire, and loves Spencer!
*My family got O.J. (Orange Juice) a male, orange kitten when I was 8 yrs old. He quickly became MY kitten. I cared for him and loved him more than anyone. He always slept with me, and was there for me through those ups and downs of young life. He died last summer, right before we were going to bring him to live with us. He was mine for his 17 years of life. I loved him and he was my bestest little friend ever. I cried for a week. So we name our new little kitten Jynx b/c it's like saying the same thing at the same time...Jynx 1234.., but you see the same thing at the same time. This is the last pict I have of my sweet O.J. Rest in Peace "Baby O.J" I'm sure little Jynx learned a lot from you in Heaven before he came here. P.S. This is MY 50TH POST! What a fun topic to celebrate with.

whAt MakEs mE MAD???

DrIvInG!! Tis the season folks, let's try to be safer, smarter, more considerate drivers here, no one wants a bashed up car for Christmas. Just a few thoughts: Head CHECK before you change lanes. Use your blinker. "GOOOooo GooOO" when the light turns green, or there is an opening in the cars, don't be timid here. LEARN how to work the 4-way stops. Get in the lane you want to be in at least 10 seconds before you need to. It is OK if you are not first or second or third in line, you don't need to switch over at the last second and cut us off. SPEED UP when getting on the freeway on-ramp, you are merging into 65 mph! Ladies and Gents, the freeway LEFT LANE is STILL the FAST LANE! Get over if you don't feel like driving 80 mph, bc everyone behind you does WANT to. Make up your mind on the way out, ya gotta share here: If you are turning right, GET on the far right side of the out, going left, PAY ATTENTION and leave room for your righty turners as well as incomers. You MUST drive at least the speed limit, but ya know it is OK to drive at least 3-5-7 over on the main roads, the cop in front of me was....STOP texting/eating/reading/doing your makeup (I did do this, but have changed my ways!) in the car. When getting in the right or left turning lane GET IN THERE, don't linger to take up and slow down both lanes. Lastly, you Don't need to SLOW DOWN to inspect the accident when all the help is already there OR when you see a cop has pulled another car over...they already got someone so take advantage! Any others? What get's you? Hmm...wonder why I don't trust others when driving. **Disclaimer: I know I do some of these, working on that!**

What a VIEW!

Yup..from our downtown CHICAGO hotel. Aren't those circular buildings cool. They are pie shaped condos. Here for the weekend, so we got all bundled up to see this city. First we bought our 3-day bus pass, then went on the architectular boat tour.
We saw "The Bean" Bought a city pass to visit the Field Museum & Planetarium , then made a stop at the Hershey's store. MmmMmmm. This Deep dish stuffed Giordano's pizza was AMAZING! so good that we ate this for dinner both nights, so yum. Million Dollar Quartet. WOW, it was SO fun. A night w/Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. We definately recommend seeing this Rockin' good show.On top of John Hancock tower. We had a great time in Chicago, and would visit again...in warmer weather. It is a clean, friendly city. (We came for 1 day of business and made 2 more days of fun!)

Favorite Webisodes

Kenny Mayne is so funny. I love these. Every Tuesday and Friday on ESPN.com.

Baby bump...or what!

We are over the age of 23 and have been married for more than 2 years, and are very happy. We have a great family size home for the two of us in a good area that we will be in for many years to come. I am a college graduate and we both have full-time jobs that are not going anywhere and are pretty flexible. We have traveled to various states and campgrounds over the past years, including a cruise and backpacking Europe. Pretty darn lucky, I would say to all that. We love to eat dessert after dinner and sweets throughout the day, and eat out on the weekends. We have put on a couple or so pounds, so what? We have been thoroughly enjoying life and everything that comes with it. So where am I going with all this? There is no mention of children yet, and a topic that has been a pressing issue on my mind. There is a lot of talk from society, especially here in Utah, for couples like us, and not like us, who have no children yet..."You are done with school!" "This is a big house for just two people!" "You have traveled Europe" "it's your turn now!" These are just some of the main comments directed towards us and many, many others out there. Also, it seems there is a lot of assuming, wondering and behind the back talk that because a woman's stomach may have a few more pounds and padding...maybe they are expecting! Adding a baby to your family is not just some sort of new thing. It is not like getting a new t.v. with a better picture and more buttons to learn, or a newer car that doesn't rattle anymore and goes faster, or even getting married where you have to learn to sleep next to that person and deal with their quirks. You are no longer responsible for just yourself, or a thing, but another person, who cannot care for themselves (your spouse can, for the most part!). You are adding a baby who is so innocent and completely changes everything about your life, how you think, eat, sleep, get ready in the morning, and go throughout the day. You are adding a special spirit to your family who depends on you for their life, as they would literally die without your care. Having a child is a life changing experience that you are "never ready" for, we know that. Someone may have been trying for a month or a year, and the comments may only remind them of the difficulty or emotions that are going on. You just never know. Maybe someone is a couple months along and just doesn't feel comfortable with sharing that information yet. You just never know. Deciding and having a child is a very personal decision and topic to each and every one of us, a decision that is between me, my husband, and God. Please respect that, and all those others who maybe newlyweds or married for 3, 7 or 10 years. There should be no pressure because "that is the next step." There is no cookie cutter pattern to when this next step should take place, it is a personal decision that is sometimes planned and sometimes a surprise, you are ready from the get go, or you need a couple or more years, any way it does not matter. Please think about this and pass the word along. (P.S. if you are one who has made a comment before I hope you don't take offense to any of this, just remember for next time!) In the end, it is ok to talk about children, but just in an unassuming or non-pressuring way. And yes, we are planning on having children (or we wouldn't have bought the new home we did!) WHEN...does anyone ever really know?! That question arouses many mixed feelings of excitement, anticipation, anxiousness and stress...many of you know that and I think would agree 100%. A woman is pregnant for 9 months, plenty of time to talk about it and celebrate at that time. P.P.S. Stop speculating about my stomach, I just LOVE chocolate, OK!

Carla's Celebration Creation

I VOTED!!! Did You???

Holy COW...x 3!!

The following load of picts is how our weekend went with moving day...we were very sleep deprived, and are now very overwhelmed w/our stuff just everywhere in every room! But it'll come together, and we are excited. Thanks for everyone who put in many man hours along with us.
Spencer's reaction when he came upon the interesting ceramic cowS posted along our backyard fence! We also have two other animals I forgot what though.

Spencer "What the...cow!"

Melina "Oh, you haven't see those"

Spencer "THOSE!?!!?"

Anyone have ideas on how to use these?

Our Beautiful wood flooringMy yellow, glazed w/brown, wall (tired arms after this one!)Nice'n clean downstairs carpets / Organizing our 2-step closet!

our Bedroom...beforeand After...my cute new bedding set...and not so cute nightstand, we are a little ghetto.Lastly, 1/2 of our backyard...Beforeand After (mulching and mowing)Finally...we have a place to call HOME again!

We'll let you know the date of our party