HEARST CASTLE AND CAMPING

Damon and I decided to go camping up North this last weekend and go to Hearst Castle.  Lets start with day 1. 

Day 1:  We decided to go Friday night after work. We left the house around 7:30 and had a few errands to run before we left.  The campsite we were staying at was about 4 hours away.  Well it was like 11:00 and Damon and I realized we forgot towels so we pulled over and found a Kohl's that was open because they were having a huge sale.  BAD NEWS BEARS!!! We end up shopping there until midnight.  We are shopaholics! Well we finally get to the campsite about 2 am. We are everyone's worst nightmare because we just start setting up our tent... By the way its FREEZING up there.  So here we are setting up this tent that we have never even opened and using our car lights to set it up.  Well as Damon is putting the tent together I decide I need something from the car.  All of a sudden the bushes right next to me start shaking!! OKAY SCARY! Especially because we just heard something howl a little bit ago. So I jump in the car and Damon starts looking around for me and sees me in the car.  So I hurry and open the door and tell him there something out there and he jumps in the tent and zips it up except for his head looking to see what it is.  I am laughing my head off watching him. It was so funny because he had his little head light on looking into the bushes...classic.  Well he hurries and runs into the car with me and we're sitting there waiting to see what it is.  He was telling me that he saw these two eyes staring at him when he was in the tent.  Well all of a sudden this fat cat comes out of the bushes and Damon says, "is that a MOUNTAIN LION?!!!" I just about peed my pants right there because I was laughing so hard. He's so funny!

Okay, we then get everything set-up except we had an air mattress that we needed to blow up because we don't have any sleeping bags, just blankets.  It is now 4 am.  Well we decide to blow it up anyway because we need something to sleep on, but we don't blow it up that much because the pump was so loud...well needless to say we FROZE.  We held onto each other all night to try and stay warm, but nothing worked. We maybe got 2 hours of sleep.  We woke up every 30 min and finally we just started laughing so hard we were crying.  As soon as the sun came up I was out of the tent.  Oh goodness...you have to know that this was Damon's and mine first time ever camping together.  So this was definitely an experience.

DAY 2: I promise this will be shorter

So we went to Hearst Castle. One of the coolest things I've seen. It was freaking huge, and it was gorgeous.  It was made from a european design with like 1800 century furniture and just beautiful detail in every room. The Garden's had all of these imported statues and such amazing landscapes. They have an outdoor pool that looks like you're in Rome, and then an indoor pool where the floor is made of gold.  CRAZY! www.hearstcastle.org.  Check it out. Here are some pics, but doesn't do it any justice.

That night we decided to make a camp fire.  The problem was that it was so windy and it had started raining a little bit. Damon was DETERMINED! He was not going to give up on this fire, and I didn't think he was going to be able to make it work, but his boy scouting came through. We had a nice fire...so we thought. Well we starting taking pictures and this is what we got... If you look closely you will see like 3 demon faces in it.  Its crazy. I wish i could point them out to you, but you just have to look closely.  Its freaking SCARY.

DAY 3:

Damon and I drove home and just stopped off here and there in these cute little towns and walked the beaches. It was pretty windy and cold, but still beautiful. Here are some pics:

Sorry for the long blog. Just too much stuff happened.

HALLOWEEN

I have to say that I had one of my favorite Halloweens ever.  Damon and I decided to stay home. We carved pumpkins, made sugar cookies, and watched The Strangers...which by the way is so FREAKING SCARY! I couldn't go to sleep because I had anxiety. I was so scared.  The next day we went to Disneyland.  It was really fun as well. I have never walked so much in my life. Here are some pictures of our celebrated events!

This is just after Splash Mountain. I begged Damon to go on it with me and then I got put in the front and this is what I got.  It was pretty hilarious.

I've always wanted to do these tea cups.  It was awesome. A little nauseating, but awesome.

Jungle Tour. We got to see all the wonderful fake animals. It was pretty cool though.

Okay, so Damon and I had a contest to see who had better pumpkin carving skills.  Which one do you like best?

DREAM

Okay, so I had the scariest dream last night.  All of a sudden, I have this baby.  I never had a belly, so I didn't even know I was pregnant until I was giving birth. Well, I end up having a baby girl, and I am like begging my mom to come and stay with me so that she can help me.  For some reason she doesn't end up coming at all and just leaves me stranded all alone with this little girl. I am like trying to learn how to feed her, but its awkward and I have no idea what I am doing.  So I stop feeding her and then for awhile I am just taking her with me everywhere holding her in my arms.

Well my brother for some reason is in my dream and he is hanging out with me and helping me take care of the baby, but then he ends up pretty much taking care of her.   Well,  then all of a sudden  I am holding her and she is old enough to talk, but I am still holding her like she's still a little baby and she keeps calling me by my first name, and I say, "No...Mommy."  She then says "Kawie."  I say " MOMMY!!" and she says, "Kawie, I want Brady. I want Brady. "  I was so upset because my child didn't even like me and seemed like she barely knew me because I didn't know how to raise her.  

I woke up so upset...it was the weirdest dream. Sorry if it was all over the place, but that's how the dream seemed too.  I had to share it.  I had to get it off my chest.  Made me realize I am still not ready to have a child.

Husband Tagged by Kaes...

So after reading Kaesy's story of Tuckett, and then realizing she tagged me I feel all this pressure in telling a really great story about Damon, where all the girls will read it (because you know its always the wives who are nosy and want the scoop on everyone) and they will all go aaawwweeee- he is the cutest husband ever!!!

WEEEELLLLLL!!! I don't really have one specific story, but I am happy that Kaes tagged me because lately I have had this overwhelming feeling of how I am the luckiest girl ever to be married to Damon. He is my best friend  Its weird because all of you who know me, know that I get sick of guys really quickly and that I am so up and down, but I love being with him. I never get sick of him. I can't get enough of him. We have so much fun and we do everything together.  He is such a great person and has a huge heart.  He is really patient with me when I have my weak moments of craziness. He just listens and talks me through it.  I am an emotional rollercoaster!!  He is always doing cute little things for me to show how much he loves me.  Anyway, I just want him to know how much I truly love him, and I am so blessed God gave him to me.  I can't wait for us to enter the temple together and be sealed for eternity.  I never want to part from him.  

Here is the TAG!!

What's your husband’s name? Damon Warren
How long have you guys been married? 13 months (1 year and 1 month in case you can't break it up)
How long did you date? 1 year and 1 week exactly
How old is he? 30
Who eats more sweets? Umm...thats a pretty close race. Lately he is. 
Who is the better singer? He is by FAR!! He actually has a really great voice.  I suck so its not that hard to be better than me!
Who is smarter? Damon would say he was, but women are always the smartest. 
Who does the laundry? It's funny because he will wash all of the clothes, and I'll come home to this big pile of clothes on the couch. He hates folding, so I usually fold them.
Who pays the bills? He does.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I d0...what what!!
Who mows the lawn?  The groundskeeper...ha ha
Who cooks dinner? He usually does, but I am a better cook :) We like to go out to restaurants a lot too.
Who drives?  He usually does.
Who is the first to say they are wrong? Definitely Damon. He is so good at that. I would rather choke then say I'm sorry. Its so bad.
Who kissed who first? Damon kissed me on our first official date. It was super cute. I was in like mid sentence and he just grabbed me and kissed me.  It was like the movies.
Who asked who out first? Well, I tricked him in to finally asking me out. But he did ask me out first.
Who wears the pants? Me, of course.

I Tag Kera and Stephanie

SUBWAY Eat Fresh...

Okay, I have to get this off my chest.  I happen to really love Subway. I know there are those people out there who either HATE Subway or LOVE Subway.  I am one who loves it.  I eat there maybe 3 times a week.  A few of us at the office go running and then quickly pick up a sandwich there on the way back.  Its perfect, but I am starting to get a little upset.  I am really trying to figure out if I am not speaking clearly or if everyone at Subway hates me. There has got to be something. Who knows, but seriously what part of "A Little Mustard Please." don't they understand.  The funny thing is I have gone to multiple Subways and have had different sandwich technicians and they all poor on the mustard.  Its those stupid bottles they use.  That is one thing I like about Quiznos more than Subway...they spread the mustard evenly on the bread rather than just squeeze half a bottle of mustard on my 6" Turkey Sandwich!!!! It really frustrates me.  

I know what you're all thinking,"why don't you just not order mustard?" Well I like it. It adds a little kick to my sandwich. I have vetoed mayonnaise, and I want a little somethin somethin if you know what I am sayin.  

I really hope that someone that works for Subway reads this so they will spread the word to their fellow coworkers and stop this mustard madness. 

Happy 1 Year Anniversary!!!

I can't believe it has already been a year since I married the man of my dreams.  It was the most perfect day.  I remember everything about it. Damon and I both were late...surprise, surprise! Setting up with my friends and family, the beautiful weather, the sound of the river, walking down the isle with my dad, and then holding the hand of the man I'd be with forever.  So amazing!  I seriously had the best time.

I love this picture, so I thought I would post it!

To celebrate, Damon took me to this really nice italian restaurant.  When he proposed to me he took me on a gondola ride at seal beach and it was so romantic, so it was perfect that we went to an italian restaurant...who know maybe next year we'll just go to ITALY!! We'll see.

This is hilarious because the waiter thought it was one of our birthdays because of our gifts, but didn't ask so he brought us out this... He didn't know who to give it to so he just put it in the middle! I was like Babes, Happy Birthday! Make a wish.  It was super funny.

Damon I love you so much, and I am seriously the luckiest girl ever!

UTAH VACAY

So I decided I needed to take a long vacation because I was a little burnt out with work and such. Unfortunately Damon couldn't get off work, so I decided to go back to Utah for 2 weeks to spend some time with the Fam.

I got to spend a lot of time with my niece who is so adorable, but HATES me... Just kidding, but she only likes me when Mom or Grandma isn't around...otherwise, she hits me and tells me to "Go Away!!" Pretty funny... 

       Isn't she ADORABLE!!

I went to Bear Lake, of course, for like 5 days....it was exactly what I needed.  Bailee and I went for long runs in the hills, four wheeling in the rain, and hung out at the beach with the Fam. I watched like 3 movies a day, ate some good bbq with my dad, went hunting, and would stay up late talking with my cousin, Monica. It was pretty much like the good old days!

I love this picture...this is his attempt of smiling :) and its so him!

Greatest Place On Earth

I got to hang out with Kaesy and see her new house and play with Baby Max for a day! So freaking cute, and such a good baby.  Kaes and I took the dogs, Bailee and Marley, down to the river and got soaking wet.  So fun.

Isn't MAX the cutest!! 

Last thing that was a highlight was going to Peach Days! Growing up, my grandma Lona lived in Brigham and her sister, Dorthea, lived behind her and their backyards connected so we would have huge family bbq's for Peach Days every year.  So my mom, my aunt, and my cousin Monica decided to go. It was so much fun. Steph and her kids met us and I got to play with everyone's kids all day...needless to say by the end of the day, I was EXHAUSTED!  We ate so much. I had peach ice cream, peach cobbler, navajo tacos, gyro sandwich...yeah I know. I am a FATTY! Oh well, you gotta do it sometimes! 

Thanks Family and Friends for making my vacay the best ever. I already miss you guys!

The Twilight Series

I have to give "PROPS" to Stephenie Meyer.

I have been living vicariously through Bella, Edward, and Jacob for the past few months.  I couldn't wait to turn the next page of each book to see what was going to happen next.   Was Bella going to fall for Jacob or was she going to be with Edward?   I won't ruin it for those who haven't read it. It made all my traveling a lot more enjoyable. I have to apologize to Damon though because there were nights when I would just sit on the couch reading and he would try and talk to me but I would just ignore him because I was so into the book.  I got Damon reading them now so we'll see if he feels the same way.  

I have to give props to Kaes...I was going to fly to one of my events, and I was at the airport wondering if there were any good books out so I thought who would know of some good book....OF COURSE, KAESY! So she knew I would love this and she was right on. Thanks Kaes.

I think there was a time when I wished I would fall in love with a Vampire...just kidding Damon.  You know you're my One and Only... She just makes it so awesome, and pretty much makes Edward the perfect man alive or somewhat alive.

I noticed there was a little symbolism to mormonism, but not to the point where if you weren't mormon you would notice.  I would state what they were but again if you haven't read the books it will ruin it...so if anyone wants to agree to disagree, I am up for it.

I just finished the last book, Breaking Dawn, and when I finished I was like well great, now what am I going to do with my time.  As soon as I got home from work I would start reading... On to the next romance novel, Nights in Rodanthe.  Movie is coming out the end of September so I wanted to hurry and read it. So far so good.

YOU WILL BE MISSED

Allison!! I can't believe its already been two weeks. I am so sad that it is over. I am going to miss you like crazy! You mean the world to me and I had so much fun with you. I will come to Charleston shortly so we can have a sequel to this trip!

Here is a little recap:

Mozart under the Stars at Hollywood Bowl

Dancing at Skinny's :)

Going to a Fiesta, Areba Areba!

Leaving the Edison, are we in the 1920's???

Happy 29th Birthday!

I have an idea. Lets fly to Vegas for a day, go to a private pool party at the Mirage, buy some designer sunglasses, eat Mexican, and then drive home for four hours! SO MUCH FUN! Thanks Phil

Sushi Anyone? So Yummy...

Don't we look pretty when we wake up?

A Night on the Town!

3rd Place in Your FACE!!

Rock Paper Scissor's tournament! I don't think I have laughed so hard.

Mummy 3 Premiere!

I Love Malibu Beach!

Girls Night Out!

Allison! I love your guts. Thanks for such a great time.

MEMORIES

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you new 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.  Its 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.

Bear Lake

Damon and I went to the best place in the world, at least for me.  It's the one place where I can go and all my troubles go away.  We were up there with my dad, my grandma, my brother and his wife, and my cute little niece.  She is seriously so adorable.  It will probably be the last time that my entire family will be together like that.  It wasn't easy taking care of my grandma, but it was worth it. She means the world to me and my family. We had so much fun.  We played wiffle ball on the beach, and I kicked Damon and Brady's butt...Calli kicked all of our butts... We would talk by the campfire every night and roast smores.  It was so strange talking with my dad.  He is so normal now, and to think I might have lost him 6 months ago.   I love my family and I have been so blessed to witness so many miracles.