Miss Utah

We had a great weekend! It was the Miss Utah pageant, and my sister had to give up her crown. A lot of our family was there, and it was awesome to spend some time with them.

A blurry picture of Kirk with our cute nephew Cameron. Kirk can always get him to smile and laugh. It was great.

This is my brother Mitch. I had to get a picture of him in this outfit - It was my parade marching uniform in High School and I'm so glad that he's in Marching Band!! Way to go Vibraphone!!

Kirk at the Gateway mall wearing some way hot sunglasses :)

It doesn't look like anyone can pull off these sunglasses - even you, Brad

Kirk and I just outside Capital Theater before the pageant started.
Our camera started to freak out - so the rest of the pictures are a little blurry.

Kirk with my brothers Brad and T.J.

Me and my Dad - He drove up from Las Vegas

Me and my brother Brad - I kind of look like I'm on :)

This is a video of me and my brother's and Jill singing during the pageant :) We grew up singing barbershop with eachother, and it was nice to perform together again! We only got about half the song because our camera is retarded!!

My Secret Obsession

I don't know if all of you watch it or not, but So You Think You Can Dance is my all-time favorite show!! I just love it! Even more than American Idol. So, if you are not watching it, it's never too late to start!

I think that my favorite couple is Katee and Joshua! They danced so beautifully last week! So, I've posted their dances in case you missed it :)

4th of July

We were so lucky this 4th of July to have Kirk's sister and her family come and visit us!! We love it when they come. We had a ton of fun just hangin' out, playing games, feeding the ducks, and lighting some fireworks!!

Kiersten and Brennan feeding the ducks down the street from our house

Kirk's sister Amy, her husband Scott, and their littlest Michael

The only picture I got of fireworks - a sparkler :)

Cute Michael just chillin' on our couch. He is the happiest baby ever!

I put this picture in because I have the coolest step-mom in the world! The medicine that the doctor gave me for morning sickness is really helping me feel better. And my step-mom sent me these beautiful Sun-flowers with a card that said "Glad you are feeling better!" Isn't that so nice?! What a cool step-mom I have.

I'm so glad that we had such a fun fourth. Amy gave me some great pregnancy and parenting advice. And Kirk is still Uncle of the Year - he is so amazing with kids!!

Drum Role Please!!!

We are having a baby!!!!!! I can't tell you how excited we are! We took a home pregnancy test 1 month ago, and today I just had my first doctors appointment. They told me that there is less than a 5% chance that I will have a miscarriage, so I've decided to spread the news far and wide!! Here's a picture - I had to scan in the pictures, and I'm not any good with high tech stuff. Sorry!

I have been sicker than I've ever felt in my life!!! I've thrown up 30 times (yes...I am counting), and I've lost 19 lbs! I can't eat, and I'm miserable. However, I was given a miracle prescription at the doctors office today, and I haven't thrown up for at least a few hours!!! And I was able to eat a couple of crackers. Amazing! We have been trying for over 2 1/2 years for this baby, and we can't believe that it's finally here!! My official due date is Feb. 2, 2009. So exciting!!!

Kiersten!

Kiersten - if you read this, need an invite to view your blog!! I'm dying to see what you've been up to! janelletingey04@gmail.com Thanks!!!

Vacation

I haven't posted in a while because I've been on VACATION!! It was wonderful. I drove with my family to a little mountain place in California called Pinecrest. My aunt and uncle have a cabin there, and my family tries to go every summer. I haven't been back there for about 8 years and I missed it so much! I got to see a bunch of places that I used to live, and it brought back a bunch of memories for me! I was so bummed that Kirk was not able to go - he couldn't get out of work and school. But, I'm dragging him with me next year for sure!

This is a picture of the cabin we stayed at which was right next to the lake

And here is a picture of the lake! It is so beautiful.

Here's a picture of me, brother Mitch, and nephew Drew on our first hike


Here's the whole fam - minus Jill.

Brad and I jamming to Jack Johnson in the middle of the forest.
Just hangin' out with Bigfoot at the Strawberry General Store


This is the town of Twain Harte where my family used to live. It was named after Mark Twain and Bret Harte. It's such a tiny town, but we all loved it!

This was one of the house we lived in. I sprained my knee and my ankle at this house!

This is our second house in the area - my step-dad killed a bear in the front yard!!

This is my elementary school! I wish I would have taken a picture of my very first band room :)

Overall, it was a wonderful vacation. It was so great to see my step-sister Julie and her husband Joey again! I hope I get to go back to Pinecrest every summer!

Strawberry Whipped Sensation

So, I haven't really posted in a while because I haven't been doing anything - and I love it!!! School is out for the summer, so I've decided to sleep in, relax, read books, and do whatever I want. It has been wonderful, but not anything that I can really post about. But, I did find this amazing recipe!! It is so easy and soooo yummy. It's also great for summer, and it looks beautiful!

4 cups fresh strawberries, divided
1 can (14 oz.) Sweetened Condensed Milk
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tub (8 oz.) Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
10 Oreo cookies, finely chopped
1 tbs. butter, melted

LINE 9x5-inch loaf pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides of pan. Mash 2 cups of the strawberries in large bowl. Add condensed milk, juice and 2 cups of the whipped topping; mix well. Pour into prepared pan.

MIX chopped cookies and butter. Spoon over whipped topping mixture. Cover with ends of foil and gently press cookie mixture into whipped topping mixture. Freeze 6 hours or until firm.

INVERT dessert onto serving plate when ready to serve; remove pan and foil. Spread remaining whipped topping onto top and sides of dessert. Slice remaining 2 cups strawberries; arrange over dessert. Store leftovers in freezer.


The oreo crust is what makes it insanely yummy! We served it to a bunch of people and they all loved it! And just a note - it really does need the whole six hours to freeze. Give it a try!!

Leatherby's

A new Ice cream shop opened up in town called Leatherby's. Kirk and I were on a date and we decided to check it out. I could not believe how expensive it was!!! You had to give them an arm and a leg just for a milkshake! So, being the poor couple that we are, we decided to split a milkshake. It took us a little bit to realize how cheesey we looked, but I decided to capture the moment anyway. :)

I love it!

Crazy Nephew

A week ago, Kirk and I were in Boise for our newest nephews - Michael- blessing. Isn't he adorable?


Well, the day of his blessing, his older brother Brennan smashed his finger in the door right before church. He was crying and it was very dramatic. :) Well, after many hugs and kisses from his parents, and a bandaid, he seemed to be doing alright. But, little kids always want to show off whenever they have a bandaid, and Brennan was no different. Here he is in Sacrament meeting showing Uncle Kirk and I his hurt finger. :)
Isn't that hilarious?! We just about died laughing when he showed his "owie" to us!

Beginning Band

Yesterday, my 6th grade Beginning Band had their very first concert ever! We played fabulous songs like When the Saints Go Marching In, and Lightly Row. They were so great! One of them asked me before the concert, "Mrs. Tingey, is it normal to feel like you're going to throw up?" They were really nervous! They played the concert during the school day in front of all of their classmates. Here are a bunch of pictures:


They worked so hard, and I'm so proud of them! Some days I think that I have the coolest job in the world. :)

Mr. Darcy

Growing up, I never even cared about Jane Austen or Pride and Prejudice. Luckily, I had a wonderful roommate in college (Adrian) who introduced me to the A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. I have been in love with it ever since!! I've watched it at least a dozen times since - and since it is so long that is no small feat. I think that I fall in love with Mr. Darcy every time!! And who could blame me?!

Now, because I love the movie so much I have been scared to read the actual book. What if I didn't like it?! Could I really claim to be a Pride and Prejudice fan? Well, today I can say that I've officially finished Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and I think that I loved every minute of reading it! What a wonderful book! I know that books are always better than the movies, and that is even more true with this book! So, if you haven't read it, go out and read it. I would like to start another Jane Austen book. I was thinking of Emma or Sense and Sensibility - any suggestions?

My Dearest Hubby

So, today I've decided that husbands are wonderful. Well, I actually decided this long ago, but today I was more aware of those feelings. I had a really long day at school, and afterwards had to spend a million dollars at the dentist office. I was bummed about going home to an empty house because my husband would still be at work, and I knew that our house was a wreck. Well, I walked in to find all of our laundry folded and put away, the bed made, and the house picked up. I was able to just sit, relax, and watch American Idol without stressing about my house! He just seems to always know when it's going to be a long day for me, and does everything he can to make it better! How did I ever get so lucky? :)