So last Sunday, Jeff and I were training for our Halloween half marathon in Provo and it was time to run our last long run of 11 miles. So as we parked at the Jordan River Trail near Gardener Village, we hopped out of the car in the freezing cold with frost on the ground to this little tiny kitten that came running out of the bushes from the river. It jumped right up into our arms. It must have only been about 3-4 weeks old and looked malnourished.

So we picked it up and pet if for a bit and then put it back down not knowing what to do. There weren't really any homes nearby but we certainly couldn't keep a cat with already having 2 dogs. So we began running and this little tiger ran after us. Finally I looked behind and it had started to slow down and began meowing like crazy. My heart instantly melted and I couldn't leave it be. It was like it was screaming out for help.

We ran half a mile back to the car and placed it in the trunk (Jeff didn't want it to pee or tear up the car) and we knew it would be warmer in there. So we then took off to finish another 10 miles. It of course gave us incentive to hurry back so we could get back to this cat.

We then took it home and it just gulped up everything we gave it. All the dog food. We could instantly feel its belly expand. It was starving clearly so I am glad we saved it.

We brought it home for two hours until the Utah Humane Society would open at noon and called to see if they would accept this little guy. Of course they would because they are awesome... BUT not before we bonded with the little tike. And boy did we... My dad certainly did and I did as well. To be honest I think it bonded more with us. I am sure glad we decided to run when we did! I have such a big heart for animals and can't stand them not finding good homes.

Now if I could only save the dog that lives behind us. It whines all the time and I am certain its because it is cold outside and wants to come in... but apparently the neighbors only believe in outdoor dogs. I will tell you right now I DO NOT BELIEVE IN OUTDOOR ANIMALS!!!! Maybe both indoor and outdoor but not just outdoors.. ITS TOO COLD!!!!

SAVE ANIMALS!!! NO MORE HOMELESS PETS!!!

One Year Down and Many More To Go!!

Jeff and I celebrated our first anniversary on October 4th and we went to Lava Hot Springs, Idaho for the weekend. It was the most relaxing vacation I have ever had and that even includes the cruises! I loved it!

The time was like non-existent in this very small town which shuts down every night by 9pm. However this dog would just sit on the top of this building's roof every day. I thought it was pretty funny.

We loved the hot springs. Your body becomes absolute mush when you get out of them. The temperatures range between 102 - 112 degrees. Whats amazing is that it was so hot in there that I would sit half out of the springs even though the temperature outside was in the 40's!!! But look what happened to my leg. You can see the line of red from where I was sitting in the water!

Yeah, I love this pic of Jeff's hair. Straight up!! Very sexy honey! ;)

My favorite part of the trip was staying at the bed and breakfast at the Lion Gate Manor. This older couple had this huge home built for this purpose and it was so elegant! They had themed rooms kind of like the Anniversary Inn but I loved this place even better. I couldn't have asked for anything better!

We stayed in the Medieval Room which I thought was the absolute best!! Look at the stone wallpaper that was textured. It was amazing! I loved the chair above but the bed was the best part of all! It was huge and well.. just look at it! My pics don't do it justice however!

Do you see the dragon head coming out of the wall holding the light. Isn't that awesome! I loved it! Made me feel like I was really living back in the King Henry VII period.

They let us take a tour of the Phantom of the Opera room. To get into the room you the bookcase in the dining room moves and you push back the curtain and go down this spiraling black staircase into the room. You walk across a deck where the water should be and you can see below they have this huge catacomb picture turned into wallpaper. It was awesome. They even had box 5 (the theater room) in there.

All in all, I am so happy to be married to a wonderful man and love him very much! We loved our vacation!

Natalie's Day 4

Day 4-- First off, I have to clear up a comment her mother wrote to me on Day 2. Natalie wore socks with her crocs because she has a huge blister on her foot from those same shoes when she played around in water fountains with her Grandma the day before... So I'm not a dork..

Now onto day 4, this is about how both Jeff and I looked today around 10am.. yep wanting to nap. In fact Natalie was so worn out from the last 3 days with us that she told us she was worn out this morning at 8:30. So she was a little grumpy all day. We decided to have a quiet day today and not go out. She really has been tired all day.

So quiet morning began watching Winnie the Pooh and she nearly made it through the whole movie. Then she wanted to have a Tea Party which meant for one hour she poured about 30 some glasses full of water. Now remember that she only has 4 cups. It was back and forth between the floor and pitchers. A lot of cleanup.

This was a video we made for Mommy and Daddy. Enjoy!

About noon, right after lunch Natalie watched a half hour of Brother Bear sitting on Aunt Candice's lap when she looked up at me and said, " I go night night." I put her down early. After nap time, she went to play in the sandbox and burried all of our toes. What you can only see if you blow this pic up larger is the small amount of drool hanging down.. Now what would a day be with Natalie without some drool. :)

Natalie was playing in the sandbox when Jeff brought the puppies out to go to the bathroom and the other day she heard Jeff telling them to go to the bathroom so I asked Natalie today when the puppies went to the bathroom again what she said to them last time. She tells them what to do. Watch!

She kept looking at the pool from the sandbox and decided she wanted to go swimming so we let her. The pink dolophin spits out water if you turn the hose on and she didn't like it so she went up to it and said, "No No". It was pretty funny.

P.S. What time Jeni, are you guys coming back? Mom and I don't know. and what day?

Natalie's Day 3

On Day 3 of Natalie's "abandonment" :) hee hee.... she wanted to go swimming. Although Grandma bought a really cool new pool, Natalie decided she wanted to go swimming in the Big pool. (Aunt Candice convinced her too because she needed to drop off an application at 13000 South.. might as well when we are so close).

She kept telling Uncle Jeff to hide under the water in which he would go under and swim up and grab her toes. She couldn't stop giggling of course.

Here we are enjoying the water.

Then Natalie decided to make a video for her Mom and Dad so they would know she missed
and what she was up to.

She was so tired when she got home that she asked Grandma if she could go night night. We put her to bed a half hour early for her nap.

What happened the rest of the day is almost unknown to her Aunt Candice and Uncle Jeff because they were so tired too that they went downstairs to nap and when they woke up Aunt Candice had an excruciating migraine. She had to lay down for the next 4 hours although interviews with Grandma stated she played tea party with her stuffed animal friends and played with Uncle Charles until he was "broken" from her jumping on him while watching Finding Nemo. Uncle Charles put her to bed. We shall see what adventures Natalie will be up to on Day 4 tomorrow.

Natalie's Day 2

My niece, Natalie had her parents decide to abandon her for a whole week while they enjoy the sights of London and forget all about her... Just kidding Zack and Jeni. :)



Day 1- Natalie spent the day with her Grandma. They went to the movies but of course left 45 minutes into it. But on the way home, Natalie told her Grandma "Its okay. Don't cry. Mommy and Daddy be home tomorrow."


So cute but nope they didn't come back tomorrow.



Day 2- Natalie spent the whole day with Aunt Candice and Uncle Jeff. She began her day going to one of her favorite places, The Draper Library at Cuddle Time. It was fun but her poor Aunt didn't do so well with all the songs...

She thought she was so cute in my sunglasses. Guess mommy forgot to pack her own.

After lunch and a nap (which she did wonderfully with, in case you're wondering Jeni) she played blocks and watched Finding Nemo and colored. But then we decided to paint her toes and she didn't think that was enough. She wanted fingernails too.

So her they are. She even chose the color. Very pretty. She thought it matched her dress well and even helped her look the part when she danced with Uncle Jeff and I that afternoon.

Baby Fever Continues into 4th Month!!

The Hawkins baby fever continues as Jeff and I moved back to Salt Lake City!! Yep you read that right, We moved home!!!! We finally left that horrible place called Texas... sorry to all of you who love that state. So it took us 3 days to get home but we loved it. We drove the first night so we could see Jon and Liz and their two little ones. Of course, Jeff is completely obsessed with Riley so there is no way he could say no to that visit. Sorry Jon but the baby is obviously more important than you.. Just kidding... Here is Carson of course doing his "skydiving" thing. Doesn't he literally look like THE Gerber baby?

And here is a video of Carson skydiving.....

Jeff and his "other half". He is finally whole.

Jeff takes the older boy and I take the younger..... Too bad Carson leaked from his diaper right as we were taking the picture.

So we arrived in SLC and Jeff's brother Michael helped us move in. Thanks for that! So we went off for a night to hang out with Michael and Katie and their new addition, Gavin. Doesn't have have the cutest eyes and chubby cheeks?

Bed time and Uncle Jeff was right there.

We were headed the next day to visit my side of the family and went to Zack and Jeni's. My brother Charles came with us too and somehow in the last year my niece fell in love with her Uncle Charles. She wouldn't leave him alone. Charles laid down on the floor after stuffing all of our faces with a huge burrito from Barbeqoa's (might not have spelled that right). And so Natalie decided to lay down with them and even grabbed a stuffed penguin to curl up with so they could go "night night". Seriously how cute!!! Did we mention that Charles taught her to say, "I don't care." Its so adorable.

Here is a video of them dancing...

And onto Rock band because its not a family night unless a game is played. Natalie decided to play too...

A video of us all...

Oquirrah Temple Open House

Jeff's brother Paul came home from his Guadalajara mission on Monday, June 6th. We all met him at the airport and it was good to meet another brother of Jeff's. Now I only have one more to meet. Its so weird to say that when we have been married for 9 months now. Michael reminded me that we have to make it beyond 10 months to make Jeff's book of world records. Ha ha.. I love you honey... It was nice to stay and get to know everyone better. A few of the pics didn't turn out well but here we all are.

Here are just the siblings....

Here is Michael's family... Katie and Gavin.

And here are Jeff and I. (not one of our better pics)...

And here are Jeff's parents.

The boys.... (3 generations)...

The new temple... Its beautiful and having been in a temple for the first time was amazing to me. I am so excited to finally take out my endowments and take that next step to being sealed to Jeff for Time and all Eternity. I just can't wait!!!

An Eternal Family. What a blessing the Lord has given us!