Lauren and I's Quick Jaunt to Sin City

Sheehan was in Washington State for two weeks working with Ty Winder selling alarms. When it came time to pick him up at the Las Vegas Aiport on February 12th, 2010 I needed a co-pilot to take on the journey with me. Lauren, after much begging, schmoozing, and guilt-tripping agreed. Lauren is one of the best friends a girl could have. ;) So we were off and made it without any problems.
We had about 2 hours to kill before we picked up Sheehan from the airport. We found a place to park right on the Vegas strip. As we pulled into the parking structure, there were signs that parking would cost $3.00 dollars. I grabbed three Sacajawea gold dollar coins and was prepared and ready to give them to the parking man. I pulled up and cheerfully said, "Three dollars, right?" He just stared, not very nicely I might add. I wasn't sure if he didn't speak English or didn't hear me, so I opted for the last scenario and repeated, "The sign said three dollars right?" He continued to stare. Meanwhile Lauren is leaning over the center console of the car looking at the man with the same confused face as I had. Finally after looking around and trying to sort in my mind what the heck was going on he spoke....,"Don't you see the sign?" In my mind I'm closing in on hysterical and thinking, "of course I read the sign! It said $3.00! I've been holding them out of the window for the past awkward 45 seconds!" Instead I repeated, "The sign says three dollars these are gold dollar coins, my grandma gave them to me for...." he cut me off. "Don't you see the sign?" At this point I was wondering if they had made a wax figure and stuck him in the ticket booth for to prank people. Frustrated but trying to stay calm I started to look around to see what sign I was supposedly missing... Finally I said, "I'm sorry I do not know what sign you are talking about." He pointed to a small handwritten paper sign that he probably taped up there to make some extra dough that said, "Cash Only" Apparently Sacajawea gold dollar coins are not cash; good to know in the future. So I gave the man a $20.00 thinking to myself, "How much time have I just wasted of my life because this man is the ULTIMATE hint dropper!?!?!"
As we drove away in awed silence, I broke out, "What the heck was that about?" Lauren had a reply in gibberish as she was collapsed over in hysterical laughter which continued for a good 5 minutes until I told her to collect herself and lets get out of here before he hears you. Anytime you mention the Vegas parking man to Lauren she loses laughter control as was spoken of previously.
Off to a good start we enjoyed walking the strip and seeing all of the crazy people. Lauren and I participated in the Guinness World Record of the most hugs given setting it at 7,777 of which two of those famous and I'm sure unforgettable hugs were given by Lauren and I to Teddy McHuggin raising money for the American Heart Association. Lauren and I are just trying to do our part.... haha.

The picture is not a good one but it is the only one I had from the short but eventful trip.

Nevermind, We Are in Tehachapi...

I often say that my life changes every 5 minutes or so....just ask my friend Lauren Brewer. (refer back to my first wives post, haha) At breakfast we're living in Victorville for 2 more years, lunch we are moving back to Utah, and at dinner we're in Tehachapi. Maybe we can throw New York City in there for a pre-lunch snack.Well, Utah is currently on hold for a couple weeks. We will be in Tehachapi for at least 8 more weeks while Sheehan and I work for the U.S. Census. Sheehan was recruited first since he is bilingual. (WHY DIDN'T I PAY MORE ATTENTION TO MS. ROBINSON IN SPANISH CLASS?!) I'm tempted to put that I am bilingual. Apparently just looking bilingual doesn't count. I could just review some spanish "COMO SE LLAMA?"....I think it could work. So Sheehan is starting training on March 15th and mine is yet to happen. ugh.... patience is not one of my virtues.
I am finishing up my Pharmacy Technician program. Katie Pezzillo and I will be taking the national Pharmacy Technician Certification Board exam this weekend. It's nice to have friends going along for moral support and not to mention the competitive side of it as well.
Having nothing to do has made me pull out the projects where I usually say, "I don't have time to do that." translation: "I have the time but I'd rather sit on the couch and watch Dr. Oz right now." Unable to fall back on that excuse, I've pulled out my UFO's (Quiltspeak for UnFinished Objects) and have committed to finishing my Sudoku Quilt. I love fabric stores. I love picking out quilts, but I quickly lose steam. I loathe binding quilts. I can't even give a legitimate reason why...I just don't like it. So here is the quilt so far...

Utah we are coming back!

I guess we just couldn't stay away from Utah. We will be transitioning back through February and March. I will be moving up there in February and Sheehan will be back and forth finishing up working for Executive Security. We are SO EXCITED!! Not necessarily because it is Utah and it is freezing and snowy but because there are so many opportunities for us there and Sheehan will be able to finish his Bachelors and hopefully keep moving on to his Masters. We are pretty much starting over again and are so excited! We will be sharing an apartment with Devin which should make for some fun stories and I'm sure a lot of double dates.

Christmas! 2009 Happy Birthday Sheehan!

I've got to get this one on here before it looks like we've given up holidays. Christmas is also Sheehan's Birthday so in a lot of the pictures he is wearing the famous Haub birthday hat. We also enjoyed many of Zach-a-doodles toys...There was, of course, a ton of food and I was enjoying myself a little too much.

I was impressed with how many pictures were taken of me eating.... It was really good food though.

But how can I resist when I have family that cooks so good and is pretty entertaining too...The Family.
Christmas 2009.
Except one little person is missing....

Kiley!

Thanksgiving In Pahrump, Nevada

Yes, that's right, Pahrump, Nevada. Where is that you ask?
We'll take you there!

ROADTRIP!!!

Somewhere northeast of Barstow in the middle of the middle of nowhere is the bustling town of Baker, California: Population 914. It's main attractions are it's several overpriced gas stations and small diners including where we stopped to eat lunch at the Famous Pancake House that just six months ago was a Denny's...(It must of really climbed the pancake house charts to be so famous so fast!)
It is also home of the world's largest thermometer which during the Summer months reads over 115 degrees almost every day.


After eating with the family we headed north with full stomachs on toward Death Valley.




The scenery was stunningly...absent. I spy a Jeep, a telephone pole, and a bush. Do you see them?
All sarcasm aside, Death Valley is home of the ever-so popular Dumont Dunes, where many gather each weekend to ride quads and dune buggies. Dumont is one of few soft sand deserts, much like a small scale Sahara Desert. It was actually pretty cool to see after driving with hours of nothingness.

After passing a few dozen RVs with trailers and traveling another 45 minutes into the heart of Death Valley we make a right turn and cross the border from Death Valley, California to Pahrump, Nevada. We were met with this wonderful sign and heartwarming message:

If you look closely behind the sign you can see the city...look VERY closely...yes, there it is!





We Made It!!!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
We hope you had a great one, too!
-Guest post by Sheehan :)

Halloween!! 2009

!Happy Halloween!!!

We spent Halloween in Tehachapi since our ward's Halloween activity was the night before. We had a great day! We went golfing, sailing, walked around Green Street, Bear Valley Ward's activity, then went to Lyssa's for games!

Ever since Sheehan and I saw the newest Star Trek movie we knew what Sheehan's costume would be. We love the actor Zachary Quinto (courtesy of Heroes) and since he was an awesome Spock....

I thought Sheehan's hair would be perfect for it. He wore his costume almost everyday he was so excited! He was our honorary costume man since no one else was dressed up. We even made him trick or treat. He would walk up and say, "Live long and prosper".

(*Disclaimer: We are hardly Treky fans but the last movie was pretty sweet....)

Sailing was one of the best parts of the day! Sheehan brought his best friend, Aaron Craig with us and we were all dying laughing at them in the sailboat together. They couldn't even get off the reeds then they almost flipped our little sailboat.

It was great being with everyone and having Devin home for the weekend. I'm excited for more fun memories with our family together!