the time has come, the walrus said

Surprise! We're moving to West Jordan next week.

Today was our last Sunday in the BYU 199th ward. I really like our ward, so I'm sad to be moving to a boring family ward. Not boring, just not the same as having everyone in your same stage of life. If I get a Primary calling.... we're moving back. Just kidding. At least not a Primary calling with children under 8, how's that for a compromise.

I've been in training for my new job for a couple weeks. And by training, I don't mean a little orientation with the software and duties. I am in the process of memorizing a very long presentation verbatim about the school. I'm more anxious about this than any test I've taken in school. I'll pass that off this week in front of bosses, coworkers, and a video camera. After that, training will be a lot less stressful.

Conversation with 4 year old Lexi:
"Lexi, are those gummy butterflies? Where did you get those?"
"A place that I love."

I don't care what kind of loyalties you have to your neighborhood grocery store, you need to experience the magic that is the WinCo bulk foods section. Candy (like the previously mentioned gummy butterflies. And they have gummy army men, too), baking supplies (sugar, baking soda, many kinds of wheat), like 10 different kinds of granola, dried fruit, cereal, SPICES, dog/cat food, honey, etc. I could go on for a long time. But I don't have to, because this girl already did.

When I wasn't busy studying and memorizing, I..

bought a bike for my new commute from the WJ apartment to work (really just an excuse to buy a road bike. I have a new-found love of cycling)

went to a Lamb and Wool show

This sheep just sat there while the guy was shearing it and kids were petting it. It was fascinating.

hiked Slide Canyon

note the off center-ness. if only we had this cool toy.

got my hair cut (it had been 8 months... a new record for me!)

picked up this sweet elephant

and held Nicole's precious week old baby, Symoni.

stay tuned for a photo that nicole should be sending me. to say this woman is busy would be an understatement.

PS. This was my drive to work today.

Thanks, Emily, for saying what we all wanted to.

happy mothers day to all mothers and mothers to be!

Is this not a great sight to behold? Utah is earning major bonus points for me now that it has springy weather.

Highlights of our hike in the aptly named Green River and in/around Arches:

Beau posing for the newest Izusu Trooper ad.

Finding a dead, headless rabbit.

Cacti!

Contemplating life whilst overlooking a scene that reminds me of Land Before Time. Seriously, this was the best view I'd ever seen. Photos (at least with my point-and-shoot camera) cannot convey how green and bright this canyon is, especially considering we were in the middle of the desert!

Ice cream and sunburn: the beginnings of a fantastic summer.

And for some other really exciting news.....

After just one week of job hunting, I have landed my first grown-up job! I start tomorrow at Utah Career College as an admission representative.

They offer courses for nursing, vet tech, pharmacy tech, criminal justice, and lots more. I will be contacting high school kids who are interested in enrolling. That's kind of all I know now, but after 3 weeks of training I should be a little more knowledgeable about what I'm doing. The campus is in West Jordan, and Beau also works in West Jordan, so it looks like we'll be thinking about moving a little further north. Alyse- too bad you guys just left!

So, think I'll be able to handle being stuck in an office 9-5? Good thing there's a Gold's right next door...