Buffalo Springs Triathalon... more to come!

I had to post one for you Holly! THANKS A BUNCH

Her and her hubby camped out to wake up at the CRACK of dawn and be our photographer! It was rainy and windy... At least it wasn't hot! SHe did an awesome job!

a "CRAZY" wedding!

A while back we went to Lafayette  for Nick and  Adrienne Scelfo's wedding. What a great time we had there. It was my first time down in the Cajun neck of the woods. I loved it. His family, and everyone we met down there were so incredibly nice! It was gorgeous and green everywhere. It really wasn't nearly as hot as I thought it would be, from the stories Nick has told me about playing in Mississippi. The food was so good everywhere we went. It was great fun hanging out with all the college baseball guys. They really have a an amazing friendship that can never be broken. The groom's name is Nick, but back in college he acquired the name Crazy. Of course when I hear of this guy I am thinking the ultimate "college dude" baseball, women, and booze. I meet him and he greets me as Ms. Natalie, and sits there so politely and asks me how Nick and I met, and told us that he was soo happy for us... Confused as can be, I run back over to Nick, Wait Honey, "That is Crazy!" He said yes, he was only crazy once. He was doing the "Worm". It all made sense. He is great.

 

We did get to take him out the night before the wedding and see the Worm for old time sake! We had a blast. The Hawley twins were there again, Pat and his girlfriend Leah, Doty and Amber, and a few more. We spent lots of time laughing, and talking about those days of ball in college, okay maybe not all ball, but what they did when they weren't playing ball. 

It was the sweetest wedding. It took place at a very old Catholic Church. It was incredible, just spectacular architecture and history. The ceremony was quite special. The reception was so much fun. We danced the night away, My Nick was the HIT!

Lesson's Learned by Newbie

“Chapter 17: The Great Plan of Salvation,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007),206–16

“The great plan of salvation is a theme which ought to occupy our strict attention, and be regarded as one of heaven’s best gifts to mankind.”

God has given us moral agency and the power to choose good over evil.

“The salvation of Jesus Christ was wrought out for all men, in order to triumph over the devil. … All will suffer until they obey Christ himself.

“All persons are entitled to their agency, for God has so ordained it. He has constituted mankind moral agents, and given them power to choose good or evil; to seek after that which is good, by pursuing the pathway of holiness in this life, which brings peace of mind, and joy in the Holy Ghost here, and a fulness of joy and happiness at His right hand hereafter; or to pursue an evil course, going on in sin and rebellion against God, thereby bringing condemnation to their souls in this world, and an eternal loss in the world to come.”16

“The devil has no power over us only as we permit him; the moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.”18

2 Nephi 2:25

The principle of salvation is given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

My thoughts... 

I am so thankful for my salvation. I am thankful for the sacrifice the Christ made in the garden and on the cross for me and all mankind. I am thankful that I was given my agency to choose him, and will live with him forever in eternity. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here on earth in these times, to do a great work. To lead people to the Gospel. I am humbled to feel the Lord's love and power when we choose to do the right things and follow his will. 

In the name of JESUS CHRIST, AMEN

Kona Temple at Night

It was so beautiful! This is when I took all the photos of the flowers that I already posted!!!!

We had a great evening, and very preparing for the next day when we would enter.

Beach and Pool, and Family.

Update

The salon is coming along great... I keep having people ask for pictures... It is not complete yet. The electrician just left coming by for a bid on lighting. It shouldn't take all that long to finish. Nick is going to mount the poduct shelf on each station soon. This weekend will probaby be taken. I know we will be at the lake enjoying my FATHER!!!!

Nick's mom is coming to visit us for a couple of weeks... We are really excited to have her. She really is a lot of fun to be around. She is going to get to see our home for the first time, and meet the rest of my family that wasn't at the wedding. We will be at the lake a lot. We are going to be competing in a SPRINT TRI. My friend is getting married at the lake on the 3rd that I am doing everyone's hair for. My uncle is having a big 4th of July Party. We have lots to do, we have to make up for not having grandkids for her to play with! "CRAMA" is the best!!!! Someday WENDY! Just remember they will be little Nicky's, are you sure your ready?!@?!? We will have a great time I know it!

We are working on decorating our bedroom FINALLY. I just kept saying I wasn't going to do anything till I decided for sure how I wanted it!!!! I had seen a room in a magazine a long time ago that was Deep turquiose and red. I loved it... SO different! When we saw our wedding images I thought that was perfect... The lighthouse was red and white, and all the many BLUES of the ocean. I just couldn't figure out how to combine my modern taste with Nick beautiful furniture. And the beautiful painting in our vaulted ceiling. I think is is all going to look great!!! Very different which I LOVE!!!! We ordered all the images on gatorboard which looks very mod! I can't wait to see them when they get it! I also found huge REAL star fish!!! I can't wait to work with those!!!! PICS SOON! but here is the one above the bed...

Work has been crazy... CRAZY GOOD I must clarify! It has been one of the busiest summer so far ever... I am so thankful for my girls here at the Salon and all their hard work. WE really have so much fun! IS IT REALLY A JOB?!?! THANK YOU!

Baseball is over... West's team that Nick coached WON 1st place in the LEAUGE!!! He had a great season. I am so thankful that Nick took the time out of his schedule to work with him individually and coaching the team. West has been hitting homers like it's his JOB!!!! I always tell him it's the hair, and he tells me it's NICK!!! GREAT SEASON RAYS! (I do have pics to come)

Church has been wonderful. I continually get to know everyone better and better. It is such a blessing to get to share life with so many wonderful people. We have such an awesome ward! So many sweet children that brighten my day so much. They will come by the salon if they are close by, just because they want to say hi! Talk about make your day! A little one told me yesterday, "I didn't know you worked here!" I said, "Yep I do!" He started walking off and looked back at me said, "Well... Now I know where to find you!" HA I love it... SO CUTE!!!!

I think that's all for now!

Kona Luau

One night Nick and I went to a Luau with the roasted pig and all! I didn't know what to think about it when they lifted it from the ground and all these flies came out with it!!! EWW They had lots of other great food. There was a coconut cake what was amazing, and lots of great salads. The show was really entertaining. The fire dancer was my favorite though. It was great getting to learn about all of the culture and history. It was at the oldest hotel in Kona, King Kimeamea.  It was pretty romantic as well! I am glad that we were able to go and have a night for just the two of us!

Matt's Party

We had our whole family at the party, including furry friends! What a great time!!!

WOW

TIME FLIES! It has just  been a crazy SUMMER! It seems like it has been never ending FUN! 

I need to get all caught up. I have so many things to get blogged. We have been working on the house, the salon, having parties, lots of baseball, and training for a triathlon. That sounds like a lot!  Work has been crazy. I have been working late many nights. All the girls have been really busy too, which is great for summer! MUST be the new look around there! ;0) I need a whole weekend of computer time just to get it all done with all the posts I need to do! I WISH! 

Hopefully, I can a little this weekend. I don't think we have a ton going on. We want to go to the lake Monday, but we should probably get all caught up instead! We will see. Just finished the Sunday School lesson... yes I know fine time to be doing it!

Couple More...

Kona

The beautiful sunset as we were leaving.

The flowers on the Temple grounds. They were magnificent! Yes I really took these. Nick didn't believe me. I make him take me at night because

I wanted them to have a black background and no glare of the sun. I think they turned out great. I want a framed collage of these!

I have so many more pictures but I am trying to actually use Photoshop. If I don't learn now, I never will! I will just post them as I go...