BaR j WrAnGlErS

I never thought with Sheridan being such a small town that they would get many performances at the local theater here. Surprisingly though they have had quite a few big acts. Saturday night we had the opportunity to see the hilarious cowboy singing act of the Bar J Wranglers. Jerry had never seen them before tonight but I had seen them a few times when I was younger visiting Star Valley and Jackson Wyoming. It was quite a treat for both of us to see them. I would recommend seeing them if you ever get the chance.

IcE sKaTiNg

Interesting fact about Sheridan Wyoming....it is one of the only cities in Wyoming that still has an outdoor ice skating rink. The reason I bring this fact up is that Friday Jerry and I both had the day off and decided after the new fallen snow, that ice skating would be something new and fun to do (we get quite sick of just watching movies, because that is the only thing to do in this small town). So we get to the ice rink and I am brought back to the memories of high school when we would occassionally go ice skating at the Ogden Ice Sheet. I was quite nervous thinking I would fall on my butt almost immediately. However because I rollerbladed when I was in elementary school quite frequently, I felt like a pro on the ice. I can't say the same for my sweet husband. Living in such a small town he didn't have the luxury of skating let alone rollerblading and had only been ice skating once in junior high. He was a little nervous he would fall lots, but luckily that only happened once. He was quite good for a second timer. We had a great time but only lasted about an hour because of how cold it was. Although it was freezing I think we might just try it again very soon.

PiCtUrEs Of OuR aDoRaBlE nEpHeWs!!

I had such a great time in Utah visiting family. I especially love to spend time with our nephews Boston and Parker. I can't believe how much they are growing and getting their own little personalities. I miss them sooo much in between our visits to Utah!

This is Mr. Parker with his new Hulk gloves. He kept hitting everyone with them, it was pretty hilarious.

This first picture of Boston is of him in a drawer, he kept insisting on getting in there. I love Boston's hat! It is so adorable and I love this picture of him just sitting so quietly with his little feet crossed. I wish I could see these boys more! :( I sure miss them!

ChRiStMaS fUn!

This post is a little late but I still want to share it. We had a fun time putting up our tree together and making a gingerbread house. There is also a funny video of Jerry playing with the gingerbread people just for a little laugh. Enjoy.....

Jerry decorating the Christmas tree.

Our tree all lit up!

The finished Gingerbread House! We decide to take a bit and lick out of it. *NOT!* The frosting and gingerbread were disgusting.

This is Melissa and Jerry in Gingerbread form and human form.

Our hilarious video!

UtAh ChRiStMaS!

I had so much to be thankful for this past Holiday Season. I was able to (sadly without Jerry) spend Christmas in Utah with my family. Originally I was only planning on staying at my sisters and brothers house with my younger siblings because mom and dad were not due home from Arizona. Dad wasn't ready to come home just yet without a doctor to do check-ups every few days. His case was very serious and on December 22nd 2 doctors had refused to take over his case. There was one more hope with one more doctor and we were all very hopeful he would take over my dad's case. On December 23rd after talking to our mom, me and Kristy were pretty sad that they hadn't heard from the doctor and that it was likely mom and dad would not be home for Christmas. I spent the day shopping with Kristy, Jason, and Boston. We had gotten a call from Kory that he needed us to pick up Parker because he was stuck in Salt Lake for work (which was not unlikely for him). After picking Parker up from day care and feeding the boys some lunch we were unable to get a hold of mom and dad because their phones were off. Kristy said to me, "the only reason their phones would be off is if they are on an airplane right now!" and I said to her, "and that's why Kory is in Salt Lake picking them up from the airport!" It was funny that we had both figured out at the same time that mom and dad had fibbed and were on a plane home for Christmas. We were excited but I can't believe that mom had fibbed to me because I specifically asked her if she would pull a stunt like that and she said, "oh we wouldn't do that". Well we tried talking to Kristie to see if she what was going on and she said we were crazy but we knew we were right so Kristy called the hotel mom and dad were staying in and verified that they had checked out that morning. Chelsi had begun putting the puzzle together as well but me and Kristy kept saying that we shouldn't get our hopes up (even though we knew that mom and dad would be home shortly). We were talking to Parker and Kristy said, "we are going to see grandpa," Parker said, "no grandpa is in the hospital," and Kristy said, "no Santa is bringing him home," and Parker said, "no my dad is!" The whole time we were frantically trying to slove the mystery, Parker knew (at 2) that Kory was bringing grandma and grandpa home! After we got dad settled at home we took mom to Target (which is where Brady was working) and we just casually went through his check-out lane to show him that mom was home. He acted all sly like he knew the whole time. It was a great Christmas to spend together. This year it was more about health and being together as a family, not about the presants. It was nice to be reminded of the true meaning of Christmas. Dad has a lot of recovering to do but we are still very excited that he is home. Kristy posted a similar post on her blog and I'd like to agree with her and thank all of you who were support to our family these last few months with fasting and praying. As Kristy said the Mayo Clinic couldn't have been better and more supportive as well as the Smith family. We love and appreciate all of you!!!

ThAnKfUl FoR muCH!

I just wanted to post how very thankful I am for all the friends and family that have given our family support during this time where my dads health has been wavering. Last Wednesday we were given news that my dad was close to going into liver failure and if that indeed happened he wouldn't be able to pull through. Me and all my siblings took Wednesday and early Thursday to travel to Phoenix Arizona thinking the inevitable would be happening. Due to faith, prayers, love, support, and fasting my dad was able to pull through and is doing much better. We were able to spend Thanksgiving together as a family with prayers that our dad would pull through. Our prayers were answered and we are all grateful for those that prayed for him. His liver count at one point was about 2200 when it should stay below 100. It's now down to just over 100 and he is starting to regain strength and eat again.

I want my mom to know how thankful I am for all she has done for my dad. While we were at the hospital many of us spent time there helping my mom with our dad. Her job has not been easy but she has stood by him every day with no complaints making sure he had everything he needed and was comfortable.

I am also very thankful for my dad and all he has done for me. He is such a strong man. He was struggling for his life last week and pulled through and is doing much better. We were quite scared this last week but we really have something to be thankful for today!

Dad and Mom we all love you very much!!!

A LiTtLe ScArE

Last Friday October 31st I was waiting for Jerry's phone call to let me know that he was back in town and I needed to pick him up at the police station. When I answered the call Jerry sounded like he was wasted and this was way out of the norm. I wasn't expecting to hear what I heard. He told me he had dislocated his elbow while doing some ground fighting drills at the academy. Jerry stated that his elbow had been dislocated quite severely. Jerry said that his elbow was so far out of place that it created a depression in his arm deep enough you could hold quite a bit of water in the hole where his elbow was. Jerry had been in the hospital since about 3:45 that afternoon. If any of you know Jerry you know that he is a big jokester about things and because of that, I didn't believe that he had really gotten injured and had to have it confirmed by another officer. At this point Jerry was just leaving the academy and wouldn't arrive home until about 11:00. He made it home safely but very sick from all the morphine they gave him. He said it was quite a painful thing until they got his arm back in place. He spent the last week in a wrap and sling and is now without recovering quickly to finish up at the academy. Luckily he is okay, just a little swore, swollen, and bruised. Here are a few pictures of his lovely arm.

Wrap Still On

Bruised

Swollen

23rD bIrThDaY

Friday October 24th was my 23rd Birthday! It was a great birthday! I wish I could have celebrated it with my entire family but I had a great time with Jerry! These are the beautiful flowers he had sent to me at work for my birthday. The funny thing is, the day they sent them I wasn't even scheduled to work but he thought I was so a girl from work called and said that someone had sent them to me.

There isn't much to do in Sheridan so Jerry and I went to Billings Montana which is a 2 hour drive from Sheridan. We spent the day shopping, which I know Jerry probably didn't enjoy much but he ended up buying more clothes than I did. We also went to dinner at Red Lobster which was great! Because I work at Hampton Inn I get discounts at any Hilton Brand Hotel so in Billings we stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn. It was such a nice hotel, this is a picture of our room. We had a great time!

UtAh TrIp

As many of you know I took a trip to Utah at the beginning of October to visit family and friends. It was so great to see everyone, although there were a few people I didn't get to see. It really made me miss Utah but nonetheless I was glad to see everyone! While I was there I was able to visit Logan and many friends there as well as visit friends from high school (who I miss seeing so much!) and I was able to spend most time with my family. I had a great time and can't wait to come and visit again! Here are some pictures from my trip.....

TaGgEd By KrIsTiE

Tagged by Kristie.

This is what you do.....You go to your pictures area on your computer and pick the 4th folder and 4th picture and then explain it!

When Jerry and I were moving to Sheridan, we stopped at Bear World which is in Idaho somewhere by Rexburg. Anways while we were at Bear World, we saw this cute little Wood Chuck.

I Tag Kelli, Britt, Megan, and Teddy.

SpOuSe TaG

1. Where did we meet? Convergys. I had just moved to Logan to attend USU and started at Convergys. Jerry was a supervisor there. He was super shy so it wasn't until 8 months after we met that we actually hung out and started dating.
2. How long did we date before we married? 2 years
3. How long have we been married? 1 year and almost 5 months
4. He surprises me by.... He will tell me how much I mean to him or something I've done that has made him proud at the most random times and it's always times that I need it the most.
5. My favorite feature of him is... I can't just choose one. I love how he is always getting me to laugh, his eyes are the most beautiful blue color ever, how driven he is about everything, I could keep going on and on forever about how wonderful his features are!
6. His nicknames for me are... grumpy pants when I'm in a bad mood or he will call me LissyLoo
7. His favorite food... SHRIMP. We were passing through Vegas with my sister and brother-in-law and we stopped at a buffet for some breakfast. Me, Kristy, and Jason all got breakfast but Jerry got a plate overflowing with SHRIMP. After he finished that he had another plate full of SHRIMP. He also loves Orange Juice.
8. His favorite sport .... He loves all sports but Basketball is his favorite to watch and to play.
9. Where was our first kiss? On his couch while watching That Thing You Do!
10. Our favorite thing to do? The newest thing is golfing, he doesn't like taking me so much cuz I'm on grumpy when I can't hit the ball. Really it's anything outdoors like hiking and four wheeling. But we also love to travel to new places!!!
11. Any children? Not yet
12. Any hidden talents? If so he hasn't revealed any to me.
13. How old is he? 28
14. Who said I love you first? I did
15. Favorite type of music? I don't think he has a favorite. He loves all sorts and is always trying to hear new songs on XM before they get overplayed on the radio.
16. I admire him most for....his patience and hard work. He is so patient with me when I'm grumpy and he is such a hard worker.
17. Do I think he'll read this? Only if I tell him it's here.

I Tag Everyone Who Reads This!!!

It's October!

I'm so excited it's October!! Not only is my birthday in October, but it's Fall and I love Fall. It's the time of year when the leaves change and it's absolutely beautiful outside. It's the perfect temperature. Not too cold and not too hot, all you need is a light jacket. Plus it's Halloween and that is my favorite Holiday. If it was completely normal for a 23 year old to go Trick or Treating, believe me, I would! I got this email the other day and I thought it was hilarious so I thought I would share it....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

PoLiCe AcAdEmY

So yesterday was the first day of school here in Sheridan as I assume it was most other places as well. I didn't think I would be sending anyone off to their first day of school so soon, considering we don't have children yet. However I did send Jerry off to his first day at the Police Academy. On Sunday he packed all morning and loaded the car with his uniforms, gun, and amunition. Then he set out for a three hour drive to the academy. It's just like he is a freshman in college. He'll be staying in a dorm with a roommate while he is there. Luckily he'll get to come home on the weekends but I was all sorts of emotional sending him off. So far he is having a good time, but I know that it will be a lot of work and well worth it when it comes time to graduate from the Police Academy. Good Luck Jer! Love and Miss You!

NoThInG nEW

I hardly ever post anything anymore so I thought I would post an update. Nothing too exciting going on with us. I'm working a lot at Hampton Inn and have a great time meeting people from all over the world. Surprisingly we get a log of people from the other side of the pond. Jerry is quite busy with work but will have a break for the next three months as he attends the Police Academy. He will be in a different city about three hours away during the week and will get to come home on the weekends. Since school is starting on Monday, I'll be quite busy subbing during the day and working at Hampton Inn at night. It will be quite a change from getting to sleep in, watch tv all morning, and read. I have quite enjoyed being lazy the last few months. It's almost too weird not having enough to do all the time like when I was in Logan going to school and working two jobs. I have had the chance now to read more books in the last couple of months than I have in a long time. Some of the really funny ones that I would reccommend to anyone the series of Shopaholic books by Sophie Kinsella. My sister Chelsi read them and suggested I read them. I was skeptical at first but this author is hilarious and Rebecca Bloomwood does some crazy things in these books that are just hilarious and get you hooked on the series.

Today I just got back from a 4 day Bear Lake trip with my family. It was great to see everyone and we had such a great time. Here are some pictures of the fun things we did! Unfortunately Jerry was working and wasn't able to make the trip! :(

Make a Smilebox slideshow

PaRkEr WhErE iS uNcLe JeRrY?

Parker is our 2 year old nephew that talks so much now. It's fun because we teach him really funny things to say. Since Jerry wasn't camping with us this weekend, we taught Parker to say "hot pursuit" when we would ask where Uncle Jerry is because Jerry was working. For those of you that don't know, Jerry is a police officer. Here is a video of Parker telling us where Uncle Jerry was this weekend.

MeMoRiEs

Here is a fun little game...Leave a comment on our blog of a memory that you and I have had together, you and Jerry have had together, or one that you have had with both of us. It doesn't matter if you've known us for a short time, or a long time, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about us, we'll assume you're playing the game and we'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Happy Birthday Jerry!

I didn't get Jerry anything for his birthday because he insisted on no gifts but I still wanted him to have something nice for him so I had breakfast made for Jerry when he got home from work after working the overnight shift. Then he was off to bed for a few hours. After waking up we had dinner together and watched a movie at home. I also made Jerry a birthday cake. Now when you see the pictures you may think, "that's a little kids cake" but for those of you that don't know, Jerry doesn't like sweets all that much so to get him inticed, I had to make it look nice and cool. He really liked it. It was a nice day to just spend together. Here are some pictures of the birthday cake, Jerry blowing out his candles, and us!

Little Big Horn

Since our move to Sheridan, I decided that it would be a good idea to take the short hour drive to see the Battle of the Little Big Horn National Monument. So last week Jerry and I drove to Crow Agency Montana to see the National Monument. It was really cool to learn more about the Battle and those that fought. I really liked seeing the layout of how the battle went down and what led up to the event of Custer's Last Stand. Here are some of the things we saw...

This is the Last Stand Hill were Custer
and his men fought for the last time.

This is Custer's headstone, the actual spot that Custer fell.

This is the monument for all the men that died
during the Battle of the Little Big Horn.

You know it is very interesting, when I was in High School history was my worst subject and I absolutely hated it but as I went through my student teaching it was something that has really struck my interest. Going to the Battle of the Little Big Horn National Monument was very interesting and I'm glad I did and learned more about it. It helps a lot that Jerry has a History degree, he was telling me lots about it.