I'd like to welcome baby Luke to the family!

Baby Luke Arrived!

At about 5 this morning I received a text from Derek on Janel's phone that said "Baby Luke made his arrival early this morning. Baby and Mom are doing great! More details to come..." That was exciting news to wake up to.

Some more of the details are that his full name is Luke Derek Osborne. He weighs 7Ibs and 4oz and measures 19inches. He was born at 2:11 this morning. Here are a few pictures.

Soooo cute! I am so excited to be an Aunt again and meet this adorable child in August around Janaes wedding. I miss this fun family and we look forward to watching them grow!

Good job Janel and Derek. The family wants you to know we fully love and support you. We could not be more proud of who you are the and the wonderful parents that you are! We love you!

Janae's Bridal Shower 2 June 2012

Janae's Bridal Shower

Janae and Jymes drove up to Rexburg so my roommates and some friends could throw Janae a bridal shower. 

Here's the whole group! It was nice that even two of Jyme's cousins came to the Bridal shower. They are the ones on the left. Then it is Bailey, Megan, Janae, Me, Alicia, and Katie Stewart in front. It was such a fun group. We had games, food, and gifts. The three essentials for a fun party!

GAMES

Bridal Pictionary

FOOD 

Deliciousness 

GIFTS

Everyone was so good with the fun things that they gave her.

Here are some other fun shots...

Look how beautiful they are!!

We played a fun game that had to do with lots and lots of chewing gum. I made a list of a about 27 questions that I had Jymes fill out. Then I had the questions with his answers ready for the bridal shower. I had Janae put a piece of gum in her mouth for every question she got wrong. It was so entertaining to watch her keep having to shove piece after piece in her mouth. That wod of gum got HUGE (don't get me wrong but she did get a lot of the questions right but she got just enough wrong to make it very entertaining) 

I LOVE US!!!!

I'm so proud of my younger sister and the beautiful person that she has grown up to be. She is one of my best friends and I'm thankful that she is marrying such a great guy. They are the perfect match and will treat each other great throughout life. 

cardboard box+ toothless old woman= scared to death

This one's for Annabelle! :)

As most of you know. Annabelle is one of my best friends. When I  first met Annabelle this is pretty much how we looked at each other. We actually hated each other and we did in fact play soccer against each other. Not to mention the first time we met we literally got in a fight in a pool. Plus one of her friends at the time was paying Annabelle to not be my friend. It makes for entertaining stories.

When we met we weren't actually as old as these girls in this photos. She was more about the age in the picture below. (she's the one with the blue shirt on) I do know I was 6 years old when we met.

Haha I love this picture and this family. I grew up with them and met them probably a year or so after this picture was taken...Back to Annabelle :)

So I grew up with Annabelle and we only became friends because I pretty much lived at her house for a good 2 years. I don't remember the specific events that made us friends other then you were there the time I got in a bike wreck, broke my arm, fractured 3 ribs, and my spleen. Not to mention the other times I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia, a broken thumb, and Adam was nailed in the bed with a gold club. We are so blessed that your Mom was my doctor and your family is full of doctors and nurses.

Annabelle all grown up!

On to the stories!!!!!!

One cardboard box, one cane, one old woman and one scared little girl... PRICELESS

There are many many times that I had close call death experiences. This is one of them. Except I need to make a correction from the picture. I was a little scared but I definitely wasn't crying. This is what happened.

For a while growing up during the time I pretty much lived at the Fosters house there Grandma moved in to live with them. She wasn't your average kind, sweet, and gentle Grandma. She was large, crazy, a perfectionist, and in charge (I asked one of the Foster kids how to describe there Grandma? This is the response I got "scary, psychotic, social service handful, walking death, OCD nazi, creepy doll collector, and rapture queen!" She was determined to get those kids disciplined and if you were a friend visiting it didn't matter you became of one the kids. There are stories of her hitting, slapping, and yelling at us. Plus so much more. So when I was over there we turned it into a game. We'd challenge each other to run up to her door bang on it, run away, and be the quickest person to get out of the path of destruction (I assure you I rarely lost at that game). If you got caught the result was usually a slap or a punishment sentenced to cleaning.

During one particular night almost all the foster kids were there. They had a lot of dogs and those dogs had a LOT of puppies. They were cute, loud, and we loved playing with them. The Fosters happened to have a HUGE box in the middle of an empty room that was right next to  the Grandma's room. We had the brilliant idea to bring the puppies in the house, put them in the box, and climb in the box to play with them. It was really late at night so naturally when there Grandma heard us she came out yelling at us with her hair in curlers, cane in hand, and no teeth in. We ran away as quick as we could, laughing, and her yelling at us to go to bed. The puppies were still in the other room in the box. So once she went back into her room naturally we snuck back in the room and in this huge box there was only one hole on the top to get in and out about the size for kids to get into. A few times she came out to chase us away and each time a different kid would be stuck in the box. She would whack the box with her cane and yell "you git outta dare"(with her no teeth). I remember in specific Cody and maybe Jacob getting caught as we were all hiding and watching. She gave us warning that she was going to beat us if she caught us. So finally the last time I was like okay lets all get in the box this time. They put me in first and it wasn't two seconds later that she came storming out of her room. Everyone took of running for there life's. She was yelling "some one is in that box! (while hitting it with her cane) she's yelling COME OUT RIGHT NOW!" I was dead silent and all you could hear were the puppies scampering and whimpering. After she left I some how managed to climb out of the box and ran to get the guys to get the puppies out of there so we could be safe. We were all scared and laughing so hard at the same time. She was a force to be reckoned with. Maybe you just had to be there. Plus we have other memories of her putting a chain and lock on the fridge so we couldn't eat and times where she made us sit in the living room for about 3 hours. Each time she left we'd disappear to sneak into the other building to play dodge ball. We'd get caught every time. At least there was 5 or 6 of us in the three hour time out.

When he older twin brothers got there drivers license a whole new world of craziness opened up before us. We were about 13 and 14. As long as we game them has money we could go where ever we wanted. One night we were having a sleep over and her brother Joe had just gotten a bikini top Jeep. It was so nice. On the way to there house we took a lot of back roads. He'd go about 80mph and we'd stand up on the back seat with the wind in our hair holding on to the upper bar that goes to the back. I remember having to hold Seren in so that she wouldn't fly out of the car but it was awesome, dark, fast, and furious! I lived off of adrenaline. How we are still alive, only God knows!

Annabelle was there for a lot of firsts. First time spewing grape juice out from laughter out all over her and staining her new cloths (I guess that's what she gets from being so funny). First time I ended up in the hospital for a billion reasons and many times after that. First time I had a major life crisis and broke down. First time I needed to have a best friend to have my back when people were talking behind my back at school when I moved away (she got them good. They looked up to her so when she stood up for me and proved them all wrong it rocked there world and made mine awesome!). First friend I've ever heard of screaming in the middle of a class just to get reactions from people and to see if she could get away with it...she totally did :) ENTERTAINMENT! First time someone told me they can't eat apples because they didn't want to keep the doctor away, because the doctor is her mom. First time we stole a parents car and hog tied Janae in the back of it. First time I did some of the worst things of my life and the best. First time I know the church was true and was converted. First time I learned how to stand up for myself. First time I knew I could trust someone as much as I trusted myself. First time I had a friend that would do anything for me, she has my back ALWAYS!

Seriously Annabelle is such a good friend! When I was 15 I moved to Sandy, Utah to live with my Aunt Kathy. I was going through a hard time because I had Mono. That didn't stop her. She called my Aunt and planned the perfect surprise. She bought a plane ticket herself and showed up on the door of my Aunts house on the day of my 16th Birthday. When she opened the door I had been in the kitchen. I looked down and saw her at the bottom of the stairs. I didn't even think, I jumped and cleared all the stairs landing at the bottom, gave her a hug, and then started laughing because I was in such shock I didn't know what to do with my self.

I can't find a picture of Annabelle and me but I found one of her and Janae :) Hehehe EVEN BETTER!

This is a picture of me and Annabelle's 2 kids (From left to right: Kali, Maleah, and Me)

Here is Annabelle and her Kids, so cute! There eyes are all AMAZING! There are 8 kids in her family and all 8 have blue eyes. It runs in the family.

Here is a more recent picture of the Foster family children. They definitely look different since the last picture that I found. (Try and find the twin brothers...)

One of the first times I went over to the Fosters house I was about 7. Micheal was about 15(the one in the picture with the white shirt, he is the oldest sibling). He had an old truck to drive around there property since they have about 70 or so acres of land. Me and most of the boys got in the back of the truck as he floored the truck and sped off  over hills trying to get some air and do three sixties. We were all in the back of the truck being flung around having the time of our lives. When all the sudden the truck took an unexpected sharp turn. Josh (the one with the suit on in the middle) had been caught off guard and was going over the edge right in front of the tire. It was my instant reaction to try and save him. I managed to get a hold of him by his boxers somehow and pulled him back in the truck. He wasn't wearing a shirt but he was literally saved by his underwear. I don't remember much but making fun of him for getting the biggest wedgie of his life when in reality he was just about slaughtered. Josh was another one of my best friends growing. I haven't talked to him in years but if you want to hear someone tell funny stories of me growing up he'd be the man.

I hope you enjoyed that Annabelle! This was done at your request. There is so much more I can add and maybe I will but for now enjoy!

The Big Change!

So here is an update of my life...

Since I've gotten off my mission I did a lot of resting, then traveling, and visiting friends and family. I finally started school again at Brigham Young University in Idaho. School had just barely started and it didn't take long for me to see that things were going down hill fast. I couldn't focus in class and I was growing increasingly in more pain daily.

After much prayer and thought I thought it best to take a semester off of school to re cooperate from my mission. I felt good about it and even more relief when I actually did it. As time as gone by I've just been living up here with my wonderful roommates and now I have some more news...I am going to be living with these wonderful people. (I only have access to this picture of us from my mission right now.)

Yes its true. I'M MOVING TO PROVO!!!!!

I am so thankful for wonderful Grand Parents that are so loving and invested in helping me get better. I love getting to spend time with them and I look forward to feeling better. They have been with my and family through think and thin. I love them and I am excited for this change. I'll be moving there this weekend. This is a big change but I am looking forward to it!!

Family Reunion Summer 2012

Last Saturday 21 June 2012

One of the family reunion traditions is that a few of the cousins get in a prank war with Uncle Bob. It usually involves water or some sort of food. Bob had done really well ganging up on a few that he got super wet. In revenge all the older boy cousins got together and this was the end result.

The initial attack!

Look how many people it took to get him down.

They're getting him good...

Notice the duck tape...He's going to be stuck for good.

Haha Just kidding. It took him like 5 seconds to get out of a hog tie done with duck tape. Who ever said that duck tape is good for anything. Uncle Bob proved them wrong! I'm a proud niece...For future warning: if you ever attempt to get in a prank war with Uncle Bob YOU WILL LOSE!!! 

I love you Uncle Bob!

After the prank war, a family home evening full of stories, and reminiscing. Uncle Brent got a lot of the grand kids together for games. Egg toss, hula hoop contest, and something I've never seen before the tire jump (I don't know what to call it but basically it is half a tire tube. One end is completely tied off and the other end tied off connected to a hose. They then take turns jumping on the water and let all the kids take turns running around and jumping on it. The one that it busts on wins.) Here are a few pictures of the event.

This is Megan Pettey giving it a try.

Ben Hale getting some good air.

Jump Jump Jump Jump!!!

Jon Lund taking it out with his body.

Jessica Pettey getting some good air.

Jessica Pettey hitting a title wave. SHE WON!!

I didn't capture many more pictures then these few but there were many more games, fun, and food. I want to say a big THANK YOU for everyone that helped make the family reunion so great. All the Aunt, Uncles, and Cousins chipped it to make it great. Plus getting to see family that we rarely get to see is always a job! I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!

A little overview, post mission...

The adventure begins of returning home off a mission!

The first 3 weeks off the mission I literally slept. I thought it would end there but I'll have to update you with my current status and if I've gotten better since the mission and where I'm at in life.

I got to spend time with my sweet sister Julia Hale. I probably get to spend the least amount of time with her but she is definitely entertaining. She always has lots of questions to ask and she will be open and honest with her opinions. She is so sincere you gotta love her.

I spent the first 3 days back off my mission with my Mom (JoLayne Wood). She was great to be with and rest. We did go spend a Sunday afternoon with my Brother Aaron, Sister-in-Law Haley, and their 2 kids. They are so fun. I wish I had more pictures of us.

The next 3 picture are from when I spent a week in Michigan with Janel, Derek, and their 2 kids. It was so fun being with them. Janel and I went shopping a lot and I was able to get some new cloths that were much needed. Thank you Janel and Derek for having me in your home! They were so good to me and I enjoyed being with them.

They're so CUTE!

I love the picture below. It is of Kate playing with the hose. I told her to take a drink and I snapped this picture. Personally I love it! I got so close to Kate while I was there that there were times that she would accidentally call Mom. I love it! She reminds me of a little Janel. No wonder we got along so well. When we were younger Janel and I shared a room and had a blast while we were at it!

The 2 picture below is first of Grace and then Jack!

Ammon and Jillian let me spend a few days in their home. I also wish I had more pictures with these cute little kids. I also met Matthew for the first time but I don't have a picture of that. I think Ammon does. I'll try to get it from him. There kids are adorable!

Aileen Clotet was my trainer on the mission. She was known to as Hermana Clotet. Now she has a new name, Hermana Aileen Clotet Tadd. SHE GOT MARRIED!!!!

This was the first wedding I went to and reception after my mission. All her companions were  her brides maids. We are all in the picture below (except it is missing Hermana Jessica Castenada.) 

Let me just say that she had one of the funnest wedding receptions I've ever been to. They had good food, guests, but the best part was the dancing! Hermana Clotet promised me she was going to get me dancing after the mission and Ohhhh did she EVER!!! There is a Peruvian tradition at dances to have La Hora Loca (Translation: CRAZY HOUR!) No one is allowed to stop dancing for a whole hour straight. It was crazy, it was fun, and one of the best dances I've ever been to!!!

Since I was just in Tennessee I was able to get some good tickets for General Conference that weren't being used and bring them back to Utah so I could help some Sister Missionaries bring a recent convert to General Conference. 

(From left to right is: Hermana Newton, Galaviz, me, and BicquiFernandez) 

It was such a good experience and well worth it. Bicqui had just been baptized the week before. It was an incredible experience. Hermana Galaviz had been my last companion in the mission. We had been teaching Bicqui. I may not have been able to be at the baptism but it was a great experience to see a recent convert see the prophet for the first time. She was so excited! 

I LOVE YOU BICQUI!

It wasn't long after General Conference I started school at Brigham Young University in Idaho!!!

With more updates to come....

Friday; June 13, 2o12

My Lucky Day!

Friday was the last night that the famous actor/comedian Bill Cosby was doing stand up comedy at BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. I didn't plan on going until my roommate Bailey came home and said she was offered some tickets. She already had plans so I was able to use them. What a kind kind soul!!!!

I had two tickets so I took a good friend of mine from Tennessee Katie Stewart!!!!

Not only that but check out how good our seats are!!!

That is pretty good seats considering the tickets just fell into my hands. I loved going with Katie. Plus it was funny because after the show this sweet lady that was sitting in front of me said "I love your laugh it is adorable." I've got to get over this whole blushing thing that started since my mission but I thought it was a nice compliment. 

On Saturday I was able to throw Janae her first bridal shower!!!!

(pictures to come...)

Sunday was the home coming of Trent Jones. WELCOME HOME TRENT!!! He served in Chili.

Monday I got to hang out with one of my best friends Annie Briney!!! I haven't been able to see her in months it was great spending time with her!

We went and saw the Avengers together (my 1st time her 2nd), then hung out/rested because that's what I do best, and then when Mike got home we went out to dinner. I am so thankful for such good friends like them. They are so good to me and I am so happy that those two are together. They are perfect for each other! Not to mention that I find them extreemly HILARIOUS!!!

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Here's a picture of Annie and Mike Briney, ADORABLE!!!!!!! They got married while I was on my mission. I knew both of them before and I couldn't be happier for them. 

Random Mission Picture to Finish Off the Mission Section.

Continuation of mission (random photos and updates)

President and Sister Olson

I love these two very much! They bless my mission in incredible ways. They truly were there to serve and love each of us into becoming the best that we can in every aspect, especially as missionaries. They helped me in more ways then they could ever know or that I could ever express.

BIQUI FERNANDEZ!!!! 

This girl is so great! I'm so thankful that we became friends. We were introduced by a mutual friend, Gavin Johnson, while on the mission. I was able to share the gospel with her and she accepted it into her life. We continue to be friends and will continue to be life long friends! We have some great memories!

My first and last habanero contest. We had to eat it whole in one bight. It was fun for one time but I don't want to take the chances of what happened to the others to happen to me. I got off lucky with this one. After I ate it I downed tums and pepto bismal and called it good.

Mothers Day with the Gonzalez family. They were so great to us and we loved going into their home. This was us having dinner right before we ran to a baptism.

Same day with the Gonzalez family.  Thank you for blessing me and my companions!

This is such a cute family. They were so openly welcome to me and my companion (Hermana Galaviz) into their home. They requested for the Sisters to teach them so we got to go. They are such a solid family in the gospel and are going to have a beautiful life full of rich blessings as they continue forward!

This was one crazy day! It was amazing and intense all in the same time. If I could give a title to these kind of days I'd say "Welcome to Mission Life."

While serving in Brigham City I loved the priviledge to get to see my grand parents every once in a while. When we walked into there house one day and my companion was wearing this hat. My Grandpa got so excited he ran and got his. They were twiners! Aren't they so cute! I love my Grand Parents!! (I don't have any picture of my Grandma Hale)

I also got to see my Grandma and Grandpa Jones. They are such a blessing in my life and helped me so much with my health while I was on the mission!! I LOVE YOU!

More random picture to finish off the mission section...

I MADE IT!!!!!! WOOT WOOT