Happy Birthday Maeby!!

Today is our little girls first birthday!!

She is the sweetest puppy ever, and I am so glad she is apart of our family!

Happy Birthday Maeby Jane!!!

I love you so much! Thanks for being the sweetest, cutest puppy on the planet!!

Please Help.

My sweet Aunt Lynette found this adorable Pit bull on the side of the road today, and took her to the vet to see what could be done to help her. Her estimated bill is $2000 to get everything done that she needs!

SHE HAS A CHANCE if we can come up with the money!! Any thing will help!!

The Vet (by law) had to call Animal Control- they said there were no owners/reports & given her current condition, if they were sent to collect her, that they'd euthanize her. The Vet kept the dog & after a thorough examination, determined she is a Pit Bull mix, female, 2-3 yrs old & was (at some point) pregnant; there are fetuses of puppies in her gut that she is autoimmunely absorbing to sustain her through her starvation. Vet determined she needs: IV, Parvo test, Antibiotics, eye surgery, teeth cleaning (cause of serious infection) possible surgery on the unterminated fetuses, & to be neutered.

When we found all this out last night, I couldn't help but cry. I posted it on my facebook and have already had a huge response. So many people have been so willing to donate, and even offered to give her a home. This may sound a little cheesy, but I have been so overwhelmed with the kindness everyone has shown for this sweet puppy. We should know more today about the condition she is in, and if we should take action.

We will have a pay pal account set up, if you are interested in donating.

If you can't contribute anything, please just pray for her that she will be able to be healthy again, and have a good home to live in.

UPDATE!!!  This little lady made it through the night and they are going to be doing her first surgery today!! Please go to this link and make any donation possible!! She is a little fighter! Lets all help her have the life she deserves!

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THANK YOU!!

Personal Trainer.

Well guys, I finally did it. I now have a personal trainer.

I have not been happy with the way I look and feel since last December when I got hurt

 and couldn't work out for 6 months. 

I have been working out and trying to eat healthy, but I have pretty much just stayed the same. 

So I took it upon myself to do something about it. 

We met last night and made my goals, had my first work out this morning, and my next appointment is Monday. 

They are going through my cupboards and writing a nutrition plan for me,

 along with creating a personalized work out. 

I am really nervous and scared to do something so dramatic... 

But I am really excited! 

I already have a new perspective on eating and exercise. 

In fact, I have dinner cooking right now that is totally healthy and smells delicious! 

Hopefully I will be able to meet my goals and become a happier, healthier me! 

Wish me luck. 

Sleepless in Seattle

This last weekend, i was able to go on a long awaited vacation to 

Seattle, Washington. 

A few months ago Matt's mom and sisters all decided that we needed to go on a "girls trip" while the boys were off hunting. So we booked our flights and a hotel right down town in the heart of Seattle. 

Seattle was beautiful, and I really could live there! I thought it would seem depressing and sad, since it is usually over cast and rains 300 days out of the year; but it was so peaceful, calm and everything was so pretty! 

We spent most of our time shopping, seeing the sights, participating in a protest and eating! :) 

Here are a few highlights of the vacation... 

{before you get started on all these pictures,  you may want to know a few things. 

A: Nobody in the Olsen family goes by their real name. Everyone has a nick name, and using someone's real name always feels wrong and awkward. 

[Kim-Frit, Brenda- Shmovel, Kristi-Frat, Emilee-Camer, Debbie-Helga, Lois-Gram]

 B: Nobody in the Olsen family ever just smiles in a picture...  I must say though... all their cute faces make for some adorable photos!}

Shmovel and Frit

 Camer and Frat

Helga and Gram

 Our glamorous hotel, The Westin.

 We walked everywhere we went. Thank goodness for my handy iphone to guide us through the streets! Frat was our navigator, and she did a wonderful job of getting us where we needed to be! 

 Our first full day in Seattle, we took a Ferry out to one of the islands. Bainbridge Island. It was so quaint and adorable! Taking the Ferry was pretty fun too! 

 We at breakfast on the island at the adorable Cafe. It was exactly what we had pictured! 

 Pikes Place Market was one of my favorite stops! Amazing, delicious produce, and so many fun things to see!

Pikes has the most amazing flowers!! and so cheap!! A huge bouquet is only $5! I really wanted to bring some home.

 We made a stop at the first Starbucks to get some apple cider! Yum! 

 Fish Throwing!! 

 Many of you know, Sleepless in Seattle is my favorite movie!! So it was very important to me that I sat in the same seat Tom hanks sat in, while in a restaurant at Pikes Market.. So then we of course had to do the scene, "So.. how's my butt?" 

 The Space Needle

You may have heard about the big protests against Wall St. Well we watched a "march" and I think just about anyone who had a sign decided to join in. My personal favorite was "there's always money in the banana stand" For those of you who watch Arrested Development, you understand how funny this is! :)

I can't wait to see where we decide to go next year! I honestly think I have the greatest in-laws ever, and feel so lucky to have married into such a wonderful family! I love each of my sisters in law so much, and consider them some of my best friends, my mother in law is wonderful and so kind to everyone, and Gram is the the sweetest 81 year old I know! 

It was a fantastic trip, and I can't wait for the many more ahead! :)

Timber!!

The owner of our home called me this morning to tell me a couple of guys were coming over to the house to cut down some trees. At the time I didn't really think about it and just told him that it was no problem (which even if it was, I have no say.. because its his house.)

But when I came home to this, I wanted to cry! One of my favorite things about our little house, and Kaysville, is all the mature trees. They are so pretty and add so much character. 

Even though we still have MANY huge trees, Its sad that the one on our front corner is gone. My wonderful neighbor Katie, promised me she would plant another beautiful tree in its place! 

It's things like this that make me realize how much I TRULY love our house, our neighbors and our neighborhood. I could live here forever, and just may. 

The question is on the table... do we or don't we buy our home? 

If we did, we would obviously either have to build on, or tear down and build all new. Both have their pros and cons, but it something I can't seem to stop thinking about. 

I just don't know if I can give up our little home.  

Nala Francis

My sister Brittany has always loved snakes, and has always wanted one. A couple months ago, she finally got one. She loves her and is attempting to make our family love her too! :)

Although she is very creepy, and I am still too scared to hold her, she seems very nice!

Sunday after General Conference, Brittany brought her over for everyone to play with.

Matt has also been a little frightened by her, but finally got up the guts to hold her. Yikes!!

Snakes are pretty cool.. they are really strong and move so gracefully.

Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to do more than touch her! :)

Welcome to the family Nala! I hope Brittany is a good mother to you!