Lots to Share

Mom, My sister Alene, her husband, kids and I all went to the Children's Museum earlier this month and we had a blast! It was so fun to watch the boys use their imaginations and figure out how things work. The boys look adorable and everyone else looks great in every picture. I on the other hand pulled all my hair up to cool off and well... not my cutest look. Overall it was a great day and I can't wait to visit my sister and her family again soon!

Nathan had fun with the siren on this baby.

My cute mommy and me!

Sisters!

Don't judge... I wanted to try out the police motorcycle too.

Nathan loved the fire truck. He had to get a picture with all of inside.

Me, Alene and Michael. It took us about 5 attempts to get all our heads in one shot.

Cute little Nathan and Zen.

And Another!

Here's another pair of baby shoes I made! Cute little shoes!

I've Started A New Hobby!

I have been crocheting like a mad woman this past week in hopes of making some cute baby gifts for family and friends! (I'm not pregnant) I've gotten pretty fast at it really and I am excited to start new projects soon. My next project is to make a quilt but that won't be finished for a while because I am collecting old shirts, pants, shots, etc from our "give away" pile until I have enough for a quilt. I got the idea from a story of a woman who wasted nothing, and one of her ways of doing this was to keep all the clothes they grew out of and turned them into a quilt. Anyway, that's my future project idea.

Here are 2 pictures of what I've made so far. 1. Cute baby girl shoes and 2. Cute little eskimo hat (I still need to finish the straps but I just couldn't wait to post about it!)

I hope I win!

This is a little blog about Shelf Reliance! I am sharing this blog with everyone in hopes of winning some new product! Happy Birthday to Hilary :) I hope I win!!!

Running & Coupons!

I've been trying to be cool and use coupons every time I go shopping, but I haven't been having the best luck with it. First my computer won't print any coupons from freecoupons.com (where most of the coupons I want are!) I've downloaded the printer app successfully but the website won't recognize it! (arg... so frustrating!) Anyway.. I've come upon some good deals but nothing to brag about yet. I don't seem to find anything for free. At least I'm saving some money right? ha ha ha.

Quick update on us... We are almost done with this semester! Only a couple days left to go! I will be happy to have Michael home in the evenings again. It gets pretty boring around here without him :( I will have to start that new hobby I have in mind soon so I have something new to share for once :)

I have been keeping myself busy with exercising. I have been at it for almost a month now and I am feeling great! I had started running back in January but I ended up hurting my knee. I'm pretty sure I twisted it real bad when I went home for a visit in CA and played soccer with my brother. Whatever I did it kept me in a knee brace for a month which meant no running. Even walking was painful at times. I stayed off my knee for two months to make sure it healed all the way and then started running again in March. I've been waking up early to escape running in the heat and I've really been enjoying it! I highly recommend getting outdoors, it is so beautiful and fun! With waking up so early, I have so much time during the day I almost don't know what to do to keep myself busy. I've applied for summer jobs but no takers so far. Secretly I'm okay with this :) I've had more time to make yummy dinners (which I know Michael has been enjoying) and spend all the time I can with Michael once he's home. When I was working at the mall I had the evening shift so we hardly saw each other because he worked mornings, not to mention dinners got pretty lame around here for a while. I'll stop rambling now so you can all be saved from boredom. I guess I'll get back to organizing my coupons!

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday to the love of my life! I couldn't have married a better man, companion and friend :D You are the best honey love! May this year be all that you wish for and more!

Love, Elna

XoXoXoXoXo

Families are Forever

As most already know, I was treated to a trip home from Michael for Christmas. My brother was called to serve in New Zealand (!!!) and would be giving his farewell talk the end of January. Michael knew how important it would be for me to be there, so he bought me a plane ticket for an entire weekend, so I could be with my family. Saying it was a wonderful trip would be an understatement. It was SO GOOD to be home! I hadn't realized how much I had missed being home with Mom, Dad and my younger siblings. It was the first time I experienced what "being homesick" felt like. While I was there I was able to help my mom unpack the kitchen and all the toiletries. I also got to share two of my favorite recipes (which were a hit!) and prepare some musical numbers for Sunday. My parents, brother and I got to go to the temple, and when we got back I spent time with the youngest 3. It was surprising how long I lasted playing soccer and running around the fields as much as I did! My favorite game was Sunday night. We all put about 8 names in a hat of celebrities, movie characters, book characters etc. and then had to act them out until each name was guessed. So much laughing and smiles. It was just the best night ever! :D At night, I read 3 chapters from one of my favorite books to the youngest 3. (They'll have to check it out from the library to finish the rest). Sarah, MaryJo and I did our nails, hair and make-up and enjoyed being girls. I got to give everyone a haircut and got to watch Sarah model all the clothes I brought for her :) Overall it was such a relaxing and enjoyable trip! I wasn't ready to leave Mom and Dad, but I was also anxious to get home to my sweetheart Michael. I cried when he picked me up. I was full of so many mixed emotions. I was a sight to see! I could hardly explain how I felt to anyone. When I called home I cried again. I needed my family! As I evaluate my life, I know hoe good I have it. I have the best husband a girl could ask for who also has a wonderful family! I told Michael that heaven for me would be to have our families together all the time. He told me that's exactly what heaven will be! How grateful I am to know that we are all sealed together for all eternity! This trip made such an impression on me. I don't think I could ever forget! I am more grateful each day in knowing that I will be with my family forever. I could never be complete without them nor could I ever be complete without my Michael and his family. Thank heavens I don't have to decide between them :) How grateful I am for the gospel and having this knowledge. I would be lost without it for sure!