New York

We had the exciting opportunity to go to New York City in October. We went with our awesome friends, Rico and Joni Adams. It was so much fun. I have never been so exhausted at the end of a trip though! We did a lot of walking, Subway riding, and eating. I loved every bit of it... (except when I got thrown up on while riding the crowded Subway.) Some of the highlights from our trip would have to be the paddle boats in Central Park, our Sunday afternoon walk across the Brooklyn Bridge, Fifth Avenue, and The Today Show!

Finals Are Over!

Well, I have been an incredibly bad blogger lately. Fortunately, I finished this semester's nine classes, and Lexsie's wedding happened, so now I can get caught up. How has everyone been doing? I love looking at all of the blogs because I feel like it keeps me connected to people who I otherwise would be very distant from. I am excited for all of the birthdays, babies, baptisms, farewells, homecomings, holidays, and graduations that everyone has had lately. I hopefully will get in a better habit of blogging so keep checking in to see what's new with Preston and me.

Memory Lane

I saw this post on my cousin's blog and decided what the heck, it seems like fun!!

Directions.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. 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 me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.

Lake Powell Baby!

Where is one of my favorite places on Earth? Guess... Lake Powell! We had the incredible opportunity to go to Lake Powell with the Child's. Lon and Patti Child, along with Clint, Rachel, Kelly, Mitchel, and Curtis were kind enough to share their annual vacation with us. There were 14 of us, and it couldn't have been more fun for me. I had a birthday while we were down there, and Patti baked me a cake! She actually baked on a house boat. How sweet is that. It made me feel like a million dollars! We spent time in the sun boating and swimming. We lounged around soaking up the sunshine. We got to relax and read or even just do nothing. We played games, watched movies, and ate great food. Thanks Patti! It was all delicious. I couldn't have asked for a better experience in Powell!

..I Pledge Allegiance...

I have been dreading this post, because this means that he is actually going. Well, here it goes. My big brother is leaving to Iraq on the Fourth of July. Great way to celebrate his independence, huh? Anyway, I want to dedicate this post to him.

Derek, thank you for all that you have ever been to me. You are my big brother, my protector, my example, my strength, and my best friend. Thank you for teaching me to live life. Thank you for showing me that life is really hard sometimes, but it is never too hard to get out of bed in the morning and start your day. Thank you for being an incredible example of never giving up. Thank you for always letting me talk to you when things weren't going my way. Thank you for letting me drive with you all the way to Kentucky. Those three days were three of the best days of my life. Thank you for calling me when you get bored. Thank you for loving our family. Thank you for being so generous. Thank you for making me laugh. One of my favorite things in the world is your smile, thank you for sharing it with me. Thank you for introducing me to the love of my life, and then giving him your permission to marry me. Thank you for staying at my house when you visit, and letting me take care of you. Thank you for being such a great example to Mikey and Ethan. Thank you for teaching me what the Atonement really means.

Derek, thank you for getting out of bed early so many mornings to go do PT training and testing. Thank you for learning about our country and developing a passion for it. Thank you for graduating from college and putting on the uniform that will become so much a part of you. Thank you for leading your fellow soldiers in a way that shows them you want them to succeed with you. Thank you for training so hard in so many areas to become one of the best. Thank you for taking your job seriously so that it will pay off when you are in Iraq. Thank you for leaving the love of your life to fight for a country of freedom. Thank you for fighting for my right and others' rights to live a life of freedom. We have the right to love, worship, learn, and live as we desire. We have that right because of you. Because of the men and women who give their time and sometimes their life, I live a life of happiness.

Derek, I love you more than you'll ever know. You have always been so incredibly important to me. I pray for you morning and night, and I will continue to do so. Please remember while you're away that your family and your Heavenly Father love you. Please remember that you have so much to come home to, and make sure that you do all you can to come back. You will be an example to so many people over there. Please remember who you are and what you stand for. I love you Derek. Thank you for who you are.

HaPPy BiRThDaY pREsToN!

Wow! Preston didn't just have a birth-day party, he had a birthday weekend! It was so fun! The best part of his birthday weekend was the party we had with all of our friends. Everyone came to our house and we grilled burgers on his new grill that I got him. Then, we went to Toads (previously called Mulligans). It was great! We did the arcade, raced Go-carts, and hit golf balls on the driving range. It was just so fun to spend that time with all of our incredible friends!

Happy Birthday to You!

I'm winning... I'm winning!
Oh no, Cassie won!

Thanks for a great time friends!

It's a a girl... and two boys!

No, I'm not pregnant, but there will be three additions to our family this year. Ainsley just barely married a cute Costa Rican named Hanzel. Alexsis is marrying Steve in December. And Derek is marrying Alyssa in May 2009. Wahoo! Let's here it for the year of weddings! Preston and I are so excited for all of them. We think that the additions will only add awesomeness to our giant family! It's always great when you know your siblings are marrying people that are perfect for them. We love all of you!

I've never seen Derek so happy. Thanks for loving him Alyssa!

Congrats Ainsley!

My littlest sister is getting married!

SuMMeR LoVin'

Cutest little surfer!

I love surfer boys!

My and the little man!

"We love boating!"

What is summer? Green, hot, blue skies, shorts and t-shirts, color everywhere, late nights, and BOATING! I love to go boating so much. Some of my favorite times with my friends are on a boat! This year we have been up to Pineview a few times already. The Ames were nice enough to let me bring my favorite little brother Ethan! He had so much fun! He is the best little guy ever!

CoStLEy fAmiLy ReUNiOn

Okay, so I officially love family reunions as long as the Costleys are involved! It is so much fun when we all get together. This year we went to Moab and spent the weekend camping there. We had delicious food... (thanks Aunt Joan!), went for a beautiful hike in Arches National Park, went swimming during the heat of the day, spent time just talking and enjoying each other's company, and had scrumptious campfire snacks (thanks Launa!). It was a blast!

A couple more pictures...

The big post about my house woudn't let me post all of the pictures. These two pictures are of the expanded upstairs bathroom and my favorite hallway. The bathroom doesn't look that big now, but it used to be the size of an airplane bathroom!

HoMe SwEEt HoMe!

So, last year we bought our first home together! Ahh! It was so scary. Anyway, we bought a little home in South Ogden, and we loved it. It needed so much work! We immediately began pulling out plumbing and wiring, blasting through walls with giant sludge hammers, replacing windows, and pulling up all of the hard flooring. We tore out the entire basement and broke through the foundation. We had to in order to run more plumbing to different parts of the basement.

After all of the demolishing was done, we decided to take a little break. Then Christmas time came, and we realized we only had three months until the Grandparents came home from their mission... we were living in their beautiful home! So, the rebuilding started ASAP the week after Christmas. Thanks to all of our incredible friends, awesome aunts and uncles on the Costley side, brothers and sisters, Launa, and especially Reed, our house was rebuilt. We replaced all of the plumbing and wiring, put up new walls, refinished the kitchen cabinets, redesigned the kitchen, expanded the upstairs bathroom, added a master bed and bath, a fourth bedroom, and a laundry/half bathroom, repainted, and put down new flooring in the entry, bathroom, kitchen, and laundry room. Wow! We only hired out the mudding and taping for the Sheetrock. So, as you can see, we have amazing people in our lives who donated so much time and energy.

I must admit, I couldn't have done it without Preston. He could see it all from the beginning, and I wanted to give up and burn the house down almost every other week. He is wonderful. He learned how to plumb, Sheetrock, lay new sub floor and hard floor, tile, and so many other skills. His dad and uncles were our teachers. They taught us how to do a lot of stuff! We are almost professionals now!

The pictures are of the kitchen, the family room, the spare bedroom. The bed isn't made up like it usually is in the spare bedroom, because we had guests in there last night. I will post a picture of it the right way later. The master isn't finished, so I am not going to show you the office, because that is our temporary bedroom. I will post pictures when they are complete. The basement needs carpet, so I will also post pictures when it is complete. Enjoy!

Disclaimer... if a marriage can last a total remodel, it can withstand anything! Just beware. This activity is not approved for every marriage. :)

WoRsT bLoGGeR eVeR

So, I am officially the biggest slacker ever when it comes to blogging. I am going to get back on track and get my blogging organized. I do, however, have some good reasons why I haven't been blogging. They include... moving into our first house together, spring and summer semesters consisting of 19 and 21 credit hours for school, little sister Ainsley getting engaged, meeting little sister Ainsley's fiance Hanzel, little sister Alexsis getting engaged, spending each weekend with her doing wedding stuff, big brother Derek coming and going every couple of weeks from Louisiana and Georgia (when he's in town, he stays at my house in our spare bedroom), big brother Derek getting engaged!, Dad leaving for Iraq, brother leaving for Iraq, favorite Step-Grandma Ankie passing away, and learning how to balance new house, yard, family, and school, (and boating) in one marriage! I am finally starting to figure out where to get some spare time, so I will be better at blogging! Stay tuned!

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS AND ADVENTURE ISLAND

We had a way fun day at Universal Studios Florida. It was so fun to ride the rides and do some shopping. I love theme parks, because they make me feel like I am a little kid again. I love all of the roller coasters. I got so dizzy after all of them, I was sure I going to fall over. I never did though, just ran into a couple of railings. I would definately suggest visiting this theme park some day if you haven't! PS We got all wet on one of the rides... that is why my face is so grumpy!

Beach Day!

We had a totally fantastic day at the beach today. We visited Caladesi Island, just north of Tampa Bay. It was so much fun. We saw sea urchins, star fish, and dolphins. We also found dozens of beautiful sea shells! On top of it all, I was able to work on my tan that won't last until summer. It will make me feel better for a couple of weeks though! We all got burned, especially Amanda. She looks like a lobster! It was a great day though!

A Father... A Soldier... A Hero

I just wanted to take a minute and recognize a very important person to me. This is my dad. I love him so much. He has been an amazing example and a wonderful support in my life. He has bent over backwards multiple times in the past to help me through my difficulties.

Not only is he an amazing father, but he is an incredible soldier. He has spent 25 years of his life training to become the soldier he is now. He has always been at the top of his class physically and intellectually. He has a extraordinary ability to see a situation and know immediately what needs to be done to secure it. He knows how to take care of injuries. He knows how to find missing people. He knows how to use weapons that I didn't even know existed. He knows how to lead other soldiers, not by intimidation, but with love and respect. He truly is an incredible soldier.

I wanted to give this little tribute, because my dad will be leaving for Iraq in a week. He will be gone until Winter. I have been so worried, but I finally realized that if anyone is going to go there, he is one of the best to go. I couldn't ever ask someone else to send their dad out to do what my dad is so good at. I am putting my faith in the Lord and my father's training. I know he will come home to us again, and that is what will get me through his absence. Because of him, I truly am proud to be an American.

Animals at Busch Gardens!