Spring Cleaning

I have been going through everything in our house and getting rid of what we don't need, odd thing this is one of my most favorite things to do. I also looked through the things that are still at my parents and determined that I need to get ride of all of my dresses. So here they are for the taking, let me know if you want them. Just leave a comment saying which ones you want. If you want them shipped I would ask you pay for that.

Dress #1: Size 4, Deep Purple. Original price over $100?

Dress #2: Made just for me, so I would say size 6 or 8ish

Dress #3: Mary's, Size 8, White. The hoop makes it really puffy. Original price $500




Dress #4: Size 6
Dress #5: Size? I would guess 8, it is the largest of all of them.

Dress #6: Size 6, original price $300 I think.

St. George & the Interview

On Tuesday morning we headed to Washington, UT. Don had an interview in Flagstaff, AZ and so I thought it was a good chance to go and visit family. Jaron hasn't seen his cousin Chandler for a little while and they have been wanting to play. They have even had a few phone conversations. The drive went really well surprisingly.
We went to see Grandpa & Grandma Gray for a little bit. Katie was nice enough to bring her three girls out so that the cousins could play together for a few minutes, it would have been longer if I hadn't gotten lost and was late already!! Trying to let that one go.
Chandler and Jaron really did have a great time together. Jaron was mad we had to leave on Thurs.
Just a short story for you. We went swimming in Tricia's pool. I learned a big lesson here, either make sure your kid has a life vest, or they can swim really well. Jaron had a near drowning experience. In the pool there is a top area that is shallow for kids to play; Jaron's ball was just out of his reach and he fell into the deep water reaching for it. Where I was sitting there was a basketball hoop in the way and I could not see him. I had turned to address another issue when I turned back no Jaron, so I quickly stood. He was under the water and so I ran jumped in and got him out. He coughed up the water and was fine. He even got right back in and kept playing. But talk about scary. When he tells the story he says that his head went under the water, "but mommy got me." He says it as if it was no big deal. So lesson learned for mom.
The interview . . . ummm that went bad. Don had a few major slip-ups happen and he didn't get the job. The man was very nice and it was a good learning experience. We also learned that most likely he will not be considered for a carrier job if he doesn't live relatively close to the location of the job already, bummer. But we are still trying.

My Surpise

What was my surprise? Right after graduation Don had planned a weekend get away for a very reasonable price to Denver. What is there to do in Denver? As we found out there is a lot.
FRIDAY: We went to the U.S. mint. It was really cool to learn about coins and they were making money for the first time in over two months that day. Lucky day for us, we were the first to see the new Lincoln pennies.
After that we went to red rock and hiked around. This was for me, miss geology. Man am I out of shape. It was really pretty and cool to catch up on something I love.
Next we went to Hammond candy factory and watched them make candy. That was really interesting since I like to make candy. Maybe I can use a few of their tricks.
That night we went to a Rockies game. We went to batting practice where Don caught a ball with his bare hand. Luckily no bruise. This and the first 4 innings were the most fun, and warmest. Yes it got freezing! Don forgot his jacket so he was really cold and then the Rockies started playing really bad, so we left at the top of the 8th. But the food was good and it was fun to be with Don.
SATURDAY: We went to the 16th street shopping center and walked around. It was a really nice morning and a good little stroll.
We then went to the ESPN zone. I have to say it was awesome!! We ate lunch there in front of a huge TV with several other small TV's around it with different feeds. Then in our booth there was a TV we could select which feed we wanted to watch. The food was good and it was again a great time. We had free passes to play some of the arcade sports games, like the ones at the Skybox in SLC. It was really fun!!
This next stop was by far my favorite. We went to the chocolate festival. You pay to get in, but then just walk around and eat everyone's chocolate. It was so great! They even had another half that was a boutique. We bought some cute animal pillows for the boys and for us . . . caramel apples.
We decided to just stay in for the evening and watch movies.
SUNDAY: We headed home after a breakfast at Denny's.
Don't I have a great guy? He had researched things to do there and when we got on the plane Thursday he let me look through and choose, with the exception of the two sport things, those I was told were mandatory. I love the little get aways that we have together. It helps me remember just how much I love my man.

University of Utah Graduate!!

Don did it!! He got a bachelors in Exercise Sports Science. He stuck it out, even though he hated school he finished. I really am proud of him for that. He even got good grades. It was a nice day, Don was so excited.
So what next? We will have to get back to you on that one. We are exploring a lot of options.

Aqarium

I have been wanting to take the boys to the aquarium for some time now. Finally we did it. With Don done with school and me not super sick we went. Bryson loved it, even more than Jaron did. Bryson just was running all over screaming "Fishy, Fishy," he usually is calm about things. Jaron enjoyed it too and even consented to try and touch a sting ray. No really great pictures though sorry on that one.

Here's to you Mom

Today is my mom's birthday. She is 60!!! She has aged very well I think, I sure hope I got that gene.
I sure love my mom! Don and I were talking about her as we drove down to her party yesterday. We both think that she is an amazing woman. Knowing her story helps you realize that. She converted to the gospel when she was 32 and decided that she needed a husband of the same faith; so she moved to Salt Lake City to do that. She found my dad, a widower with 4 kids. They dated briefly and were married. Now I am not sure that she knew what she was getting herself into a new faith, an new state, a new husband, AND 4 kids. Any normal person would have turned and ran, but not my mom. She scarified a lot through the years, trying hard to make things work. And for that I am very grateful.
Don and I appreciate her bold honesty and confidence in herself. That is refreshing when many people tread so lightly trying not offend and seem to lose themselves in the process. In church once someone compared people to a symphony, each instrument unique, but when put together they sound beautiful. She adds something very unique to the symphony of life. And I dare say she often is the instrument that no one else wants to play.
So here is to you mom. I love ya, for what you are.

Melynda's Baptism

The Hughes kids that were there: Don, Jared, Katie, Carlie, Ericka, Stacie, & Melynda
The Hughes kids' and family, that were there. Add ins from the first photo. Me and our two boys, Jaron & Bryson; Katie's 3 girls, Jessica, Chloe, & Emily; Jared's wife, Dani.

Don's youngest sister was baptized last Saturday evening. I was asked to give the talk on baptism. So those of you who know me, know that I have always struggled with public speaking. I can prepare and prepare, but it never seems to come out right. I think I did okay, but I really had a lot of fun studying about baptism that week. I was great to remember what I promised and what that really means. As you get older those things that seem so simple take on new meaning as your testimony grows. They are still simple, but they become more internalized and more real. It is so wonderful!
That morning I went to the temple to do initiatories and it was also wonderful to be reminded of the blessings that I have there. It was also new for me to think of baptism and the initiatory together and how they build on one another. I am so grateful for the blessings I receive through keeping the covenants I have made. Last Saturday I had it re-affirmed to me of the power, protection, and guidence that I recieve from them. It makes me more deticated to doing those things that I know I should.

Baby Boy #3

We had our ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a very healthy baby boy. I am not disappointed to be having another boy. We know what we are doing and have the clothes. With so many changes coming up, hopefully soon, having something that is normal might be better.
His name will be Eldon Theodore Hughes, most likely. Don has been fighting for this one and I finally gave in. It is a family name and that is why I consented. Eldon is a name in both his father and mother's line and Eldon Theodore was his Grandpa Gray's dad. Grandpa is a wonderful man and I see no problem naming a child after his father. Only thing I am not too fond of the name.
I have been feeling a lot better with very few sick days now. I am still really tired thought and can't stand for very long, is that weird? I mean I can't stand for more than 15min or so. Anyway, we are doing good.
Don graduates soon and we are looking for a job as a carrier in the Postal Service. It is a really hard market to break into right now, so we will give it a few months or so and then go from there. There are no career jobs to be had, but he most likely wouldn't get one anyway having no carrier experience. So we are starting at the bottom, getting a temp. carrier job (which is full time). Hopefully after a while the career jobs will start picking up again if not . . . we will see. Insurance wise we can join the union and purchase insurance. It is double from if you were a career job, but it is still reasonably priced. It has wonderful coverage, 100% maternity in fact so that is good.

Easter 2009

We had a fun Easter this year. The fun started on Saturday with two Easter Egg Hunts. Dad had the boys alone for these since I was busy setting up and carring out the hunt up at the Huntsman Center. After the Easter Egg hunt there there was a carnival. The boys had fun playing games and visiting the Eater Bunny.

Easter morning the Easter Bunny had left some soccer goals for Jaron and Bryson his own chair.

After church we had dinner at our home with Don's family. It was a fun day.