Sunday, March 08, 2009

What a weekend.....

So my mom is always telling us that we need to get out and do more things. Andy and I are total homebodies and like to spend what little freetime we have at home.

Saturday:
We decide that we would go out and be adventurous. We decide that it would be fun to go four-wheeling out at Sugar Loaf mountain. We rented 2 quads and went with Andy's parents and his brother/sister-in-law/nephew out to the desert.

We were having a grand old time until I decided that I hadn't had enough of an adventure and wondered what it would be like if I flipped one of the quads over while Andy and I were on it. Well, it wasn't as fun as I expected it would be. Andy fell off before the quad flipped and luckily it missed falling on me. I am sure my flight through the air was very graceful. Just ask the camp of people that were right next to us, that so kindly did NOT offer to come and see if we were okay. Anyways, we were both scrapped up pretty bad and after checking the damage to the quad saw that we had LUCKILY only broken the front headlight.

So, we stop the bleeding on our arms and legs and carryon the rest of day....at a much slower speed, might I add.


So then it is time to pack up and we decide that my sister-in-law, Liz and I are going to ride the quads back up to the main road and the boys (Andy's parents had left with the baby earlier) would bring up the trucks. So we ride up the mountain and sit there for awhile. Liz at this point has a really bad stomachache and isn't doing well and my first fear is that its appendicidis. Here we are stuck at the top of this mountain....at dusk...with no phones or water or any sign of the guys in sight. Finally I head back to the nearest camp and practically attack them in my quest for a cell phone and I run into the guys who are in just one truck. They race up the mountain and I follow. While we load the quads onto the trailer Andy tells me that his truck is high centered on a rock and there is no way to get it off.

We drive back to town in stoney silence as dollar signs flash through our heads at the thought of how much its going to cost to call a tow truck out to the middle of nowhere, to pull our truck off this rock.

Luckily the story doesn't end here.

Sunday:

Andy got up early this morning to take the quads back to the rental place and then after borrowing a hydraulic jack from a neighbor, was going to go with his brother back out to see if they could get the truck, which we were hoping had not been stripped and sold for parts by now or become the recent home to some bum living in the desert. Around 10:30 I get a call, saying that they drove all the way out just to find that they did not have the keys to the truck, so I had to drive out to Fountain Hills and meet them to give them the key. On the back into town I get a phone call from Andy's good friend Mark who also happens to work for the Mesa Police Department. He proceeds to tell me that he is at my school because it has been broken into and he wants to see if I can come down to see if anything has happened to my room. I am so lucky that Mark was one of the cops that responded to break-in. I head over to school just to find that my door is broken, my desk is trashed and some things (mostly money) are missing from it. As it turns out the whole school was broken into and vandalized pretty badly. The only thing we can guess is some teenagers weren't taught to go get a job and learn some responsibilty and so instead they break doors and try to steal Jolly Ranchers and Caprisuns.

Luckily Andy got the truck out and we won't have to foreclose on our house to pay for the towing bill. We are very lucky that things weren't worse than they were. We are very thankful to be safe and sound and in one piece.

All in all we are VERY glad this weekend is over and look forward to going back to the days when we can stay home on the weekends.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Pay it forward


This is how it works...
The first three people to leave a comment on this post
will receive a gift from me during this year.
When and what will be a surprise.
BUT,in order for you to receive your gift,
you have to post this on your blog first.
(Which means that sometime during this year,
you'll send a gift to three people as well!)
Get it?
So, the first three people to comment will be the lucky ones!
Good luck!

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

365

Have you heard of project 365?

It's a challenge to take one picture every single day for an entire year. There are a few reasons I decided to do this.

The first being, I think it will make a great picture journal at the end of the 365 days. How cool would it be to pick any day and look back to see a picture of what you did, who you were with, what your focus was... etc.
Plus, I already take so many picture...much to the annoyance of those around me...that I think it would be fun to do something different with them. It's like a game to see what I can come up with. So are you in? I challenge YOU to start taking pictures today.


So if you want to follow me through my year of pictures, check out the new blog I've set up, 365bySara. I don't write a lot, just a picture and a brief description. Let me know what you think!

Monday, February 16, 2009

Old pictures

I love going through all my old pictures and seeing how much things have changed. I was trying to get some photos organized today and came across these beauties.

Becca and I at Spring Sing

Ruth and I at Craig and Liz's weddingMe and my brothers at the airport

My cousin Aaron and I

Camber, Michelle, me, Jo and Melissa at MP

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Recipe for the perfect Valentine's Day

1. Beautiful flowers

2. Romantic Movie

3. Deep, heartfelt cards

4. Fine dining

5. An amazing husband

Friday, February 13, 2009

Valentines Day post

For all you married people out there! Tag your married friends that you want to know about!
1. When is your "engagement" anniversary: March 17th
3. How long have you known your spouse: 7 years and 6 months
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged: 1 year
Altogether? We met in August of '01 and started dating in March of '02
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time: At my friend's house
6. What is your spouse's full name: John Andrew Ebert
7. Do you have any children yet: Nope
8. How many:
9. Do you have any house pets: We have a dog
10. Do you own a house or rent: Own
11. Do you live in the country or town/city: City
12. What is one of your favorite activities together: Going to the movies
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot: vacations? what vacations? No idea. We've been to CA a lot, but I don't think it's a favorite of both of ours.
14. How many siblings (including in-laws): I have 2 siblings and he has 4
15. What church do you attend: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
16. Is this the church you were married in: yep, in the SLC temple
17. What town is your current address: Mesa
18. Do you work or stay at home: Both work full-time
19. Where did you honeymoon: Florida. We went to Disney World and saw some of Andy's mission areas.
20: Leave a piece of marriage advice: Have some of your own interests as well as common interests. It makes the time you have together that much more fun!
I tag...
1. Alicia
2. Ashley
3. Lindsey
4. Melissa
5. Desiree

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

One of my favorite wedding pictures

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Sure-fire way to get out of debt

The answer

Can't believe no one has ever thought of this.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

Trip to Utah...

Last weekend I made a quick trip to Utah. On Friday I went to Park City with my cousin and her sister-in-law to check out the Sundance Film Festival. I had a lot of fun. We saw some celebrities and at lunch at this place that had these awesome mini fries (I can't think of the real name). Park City is a beautiful town, the weather was great and it was fun to just walk around and of course to see Amy Poehler. I am a big fan of hers, so I think that definitely made my day.
Park City
Andrea and MarliMissy Pyle
Amy Poehler
Marli, The Bachelor (Jesse ??) and Andrea
Parker Posey
Jane Lynch
Saturday we got up early and went to my cousin Aarons wedding. They are so cute together and looked so happy. I was so glad I could be there.

Also on Saturday, my aunt and uncle were sealed to their son and my grandpa went through the temple for the first time. It was a wonderful day. It was great to be there with my family.
Shawn, me, Parker and Karinda at dinner

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Inauguration

Today the 44th president of the United States was sworn in and for me it was truly exciting to watch. Being the teacher of six and seven year olds made me look at this new change for our country in a different way. Instead of looking at it as Democrat vs. Republican or winner vs. loser, I was able to see it through the eyes of children. I was able to explain to them why today was such an amazing day. I was able to teach them, in a way, that history was made today and one day they will be proud to know that they were a part of it. For just a brief moment, the politics didn't matter. People came together to celebrate history in the making. We watched the inauguration in class and I was really touched by some of the things that President Obama said in his inaugural address.

"In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom."

"As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all. "

When the election was going on the kids at our school were able to participate in a "Kids Vote". I was happy to get to teach them about the significance of this election. We talked about how cool it was that this was the first time that both an African American and a woman was in the running to be the president.

It seems very fitting that the inauguration of President Obama would occur the day after Martin Luther King Jr's birthday. So, politics and judgments aside...today was historical and I was proud to be a part of it.


Sunday, January 11, 2009

Years in Review

After weeks of getting bugged by Andy I finally sat down and went through all of the pictures on our computer. For those of you that know me well, you know that I take LOTS...and I mean LOTS of pictures. So finally I went through and organized them all. It's always fun to come across things that you have done and to remember fun times. Here are some of my favorite pictures from over the years.

Sunday, January 04, 2009

New Years/Andy's birthday

We've never really done it up for New Years eve which might explain why at least 2 out of the last 5 years we've been in bed before 11. This year we were fuddy duddies also, but we at least made it to midnight. Barely.

We played several rousing games of Yahtzee.

Enjoyed frozen pizza and cream soda.

Took Annie to the park.
There were about 50 rabbits out in this field when we pulled in.

Kissed at midnight and were asleep by 12:05.
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
Today was Andy's birthday. The big 3-0! We went to dinner on Friday and he will soon be the new owner of some awesome golf shoes. Today we went to dinner at his parents house. We had fun visiting with his brother, our sister-in-law and their sweet little boy and his parents. We took these personality quizzes from a book that Liz had. Turns out I am fire and Andy is a mix of wood/fire...just in case you were wondering.

Andy and Ian playing with his birthday balloons.

I am so happy to be married to Andy. He is a fun, sweet, happy, hardworking person and I love him so much.
Happy Birthday babe!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Temple Lights

We went to the temple lights Saturday night with Andy's parents and his brother/his wife/their baby. It was so much fun just spending time with them and being at the temple and seeing all the beautiful lights. There really is a different feeling this time of year.
Andy with his dad, brother and nephew
Why waste money on toys when you can stay entertained with a wheel on a stroller?

Friday, December 19, 2008

Oh Christmas tree....

Our first Christmas tree in our new house
I have always wanted stairs with a banister so that I could do this. I love decorating for Christmas! It makes everything prettier. :)