MR. AND MRS. STAHL

A few more.....

2009-11-04T13:44:00.000-08:00

The last post was about the shower, but while in SoDak I was able to watch Dons younger brother Brent march in the Mitchell parade. He plays the drums and he did such a good job, taking second place overall I believe. Carla and I chased the band down the street of the parade to get some pictures, Brent wouldn't even crack a smile at me! He did really well, and I Enjoyed being able to go watch.

Katie and Ron smiling for the camera!

Four generations picture, Evan, Katie, Carla and grandma and grandpa Schatz.

Brent marching in the parade....what a handsome guy he is ; )

Doing such a good job while marching, I know that my brain couldn't march and play all those drums!

Baby Shower Time!

2009-11-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

On October 1st I was able to make it back to South Dakota for Katie and Evans shower. It was a long drive from Kentucky by myself, but it was so worth it! We had the shower on Oct 3rd and had a great turnout with the Stahl family! We played games, had gifts, ate dinner, and Evan and Katie had many hugs and kisses from all!
Great grandma and grandpa Schatz arrived on Sunday to meet their great grandson--four generations, how amazing! Grandpa Ron and the great grandparents found it amazing how much little ones need these days to just get along!!! I had a wonderful time with all and enjoyed spending this time with the Stahls!

Grandma Carla at the shower
Katie and Bev working on the gifts.

Aunt Janet, Jodi, and Syd giving loving to Evan. Sydney was in love with the baby!

Katie opening gifts at the shower.

Great Grandma Stahl with Evan!

WHATS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK?!?!?!?!?

2009-11-02T12:44:00.001-08:00

HIT THE ROAD JACK! TIME TO GO AGAIN, WE ARE OFF TO KENTUCKY ON SEPT24TH, WHEN AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 1 HOUR, I ASK DON "WHATS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK"-NOTHING HE SAYS, ITS JUST THE ROAD. I ASKED HIM TO PULL OVER AND WE FOUND THAT ONE OF THE BACK TIRES HAD A BIG BUBBLE IN IT. WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SMALL TIRE SHOP, THAT HAD FOUR TIRES IN THE SIZE WE NEEDED BUT THEY WERE SOLD!!!!!!! THE YOUNG MAN SOLD THEM TO US AND SAID THAT THE MAN WOULD UNDERSTAND......WHEN WE TRIED TO TAKE THE TRAILER OFF THE TRUCK WE NOTICED THAT THE WHEELS ON THE TRAILER WEREN'T MOVING RIGHT, THE BRAKES WERE BROKE!!! THESE ARE SOME PICTURES OF MY STRONG HUSBAND FIXING THE TRAILER WHILE THE TIRES WERE BEING CHANGED.....GREAT START TO OUR KENTUCKY TRIP, I HAVE NEVER SEEN DON HIT SO MANY THINGS WITH HIS TOOLS : )
WE LAUGH HOW WE HAVE CHANGED ROLLS IN THIS ADVENTURE, WHERE I USE TO BE THE ONE TO GET SO UPSET WHEN THINGS HAPPEN AND HE WAS SO CALM, AND WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED IT WAS THE OPPOSITE!
ANYWAY DON FIXED THE TRAILER AND THE NEXT MORNING WE ROTATED ALL THE TIRES TOGETHER BECAUSE THE TRUCK WASN'T PULLING RIGHT....ONLY FOR HIM!

DONNIE WORKING ON THE TRAILER.

THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER, NOT AS BAD AS HE THOUGHT.......

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THEM WHERE HE IS NOT HAPPY YET ; (

SURPRISE STAHL FAMILY!

2009-11-02T12:20:00.000-08:00

On Sept 18th we packed up Big Blue and the trailer to leave Utah and head to Kentucky. We thought we would be clever and "surprise" our Stahl family in SoDak due to everyone being home for a cousins wedding. We arrived in Bridgewater on Saturday around 7pm. We decided to hide the truck and trailer and really surprise everyone. Around 10:30 we both figured out that no one would be coming home that night, and they would be home in the morning--a phone call to Dons mother from her own home line was enough surprise for me!

We saw our family on Sunday and we were introduced to the new member of the family Mr. Evan Lee Stahl (what a cutie!) The proud mother, Katie, has taken to being a mother and it was such a blessing to be with her and him. We spent the next few days holding Mr. Evan and relaxing. We didn't get to surprise them like we wanted to, but the trip was wonderful!

He likes his little hands!

Here are the proud grandma and grandpa and Mr. Evan.

Donnie and his little brother Brent---they look so much alike!

I loved this picture--Katie and Evan having "tummy time" together--Precious!

Katie's Precious Miracle....we are blessed with this little man in our lives.

One year ago......

2009-09-18T10:29:00.000-07:00

One year ago I married my best firend,and I have had the BEST year of my life with him. God has given me a wonderful life in his arms and I am so thankful for my husband. I look back over the last year and think about how much we have grown in ourselves and in our relationship. I look forward to many more years with this wonderful man.........

This was read at our wedding and I love to look back at it.....we have gone through a few of these in this last year.....

“These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.”

One year celebration!

2009-09-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

Don and I celebrated our one year anniversary on September 6th. What a year it has been!!!! We headed into Midway Utah looking forward to a Swiss Festival but it had ended already, so we decided to take in the Sheepdog Herding Competition--we both enjoyed it very much and decided that neither one of us would be very good at it. I decided that the breeze was nice and didn't realize how much sun I was getting in the afternoon--hence the nice suntan. We stayed at the Johnson Mill Bed and Breakfast and we slept with all the windows open and we slept like babies. We enjoyed a nice dinner in Park City at Gappa--the best dinner either of us have ever had. We had a wonderful day and night and loved that we were able to spend our first anniversary together--happy and healthy.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

2009-09-17T05:46:00.001-07:00

FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND DON RECEIVED A FOUR DAY WEEKEND AND WE DECIDED THAT SOME CAMPING AND HIKING WAS A MUST BEFORE WE LEAVE UTAH. WE HEADED TO SCOFIELD STATE PARK (REALLY SCOFIELD STATE LAKE) ON FRIDAY AND SET UP OUR TENT AND CAMPED. I AM NOT MUCH OF A BEAR PERSON AND ONE OF THE SIGNS THAT WE SAW WAS "BEARS VISIT HERE FREQUENTLY!" YIKES! I SLEPT FOR FOUR HOURS AND I WAS WIDE AWAKE AT FOUR A.M--"DON DO YOU HEAR THAT" "ITS A SQUIRREL GO BACK TO SLEEP" THIS WENT ON FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS UNTIL I SAW THE SUN AND FELL ASLEEP ONLY TO WAKE UP TO A SQUIRREL IN OUR TENT--THAT WILL TEACH DON!
OUR SISTER HEIDI MEET US ON SATURDAY FOR A RAINY DAY HIKE AND THEN COLD AFTERNOON, IN WHICH WE ALL DECIDED THAT SLEEPING INSIDE AND GETTING OUT OF THE COLD WOULD BE NICE, ONLY TO HAVE THE SUN COME OUT AND THE WIND STOP THE MINUTE WE STARTED PACKING......WE HAD A GREAT NIGHT AT HEIDIS NEW HOME IN SALT LAKE AND A NICE DINNER WITH HER. IT WAS GREAT TO CATCH UP AND SEE A FAMILY FRIEND.

GRILL MASTER COOKING!

ALL THIS STUFF FOR ONE NIGHT!

I BOUGHT THIS JACKET AT THE TOWN GAS STATION BECAUSE IT GOT COLD AT NIGHT--WE FORGOT ABOUT THAT PART.

I LOVE HIM--SO DARN HANDSOME.

OUR HOME FOR A NIGHT, IT SLEPT REALLY GOOD (WHEN I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT BEARS)

Zion

2009-08-18T08:11:00.001-07:00

I was a little tired after the hike!

Muscle Man!

Zion National Park

2009-08-18T08:07:00.001-07:00

Make your Way to UTAH for work

2009-08-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Don and I were starting to go stir crazy with not knowing were we would be going for his next job assignment. On Monday August 10th we decided to make our day be useful with trying to help fix my dads boat trailer. As we were sitting outside we were both talking about how it was getting to be time to get going, and get back into our routine. Little did we know it was going to happen that day.

We had our sites on being sent to Kentucky for the last four weeks, so when Don got the phone call at 2:00 in the afternoon to be in St. George, Utah for work on Wednesday morning I was a little taken a back. I believe that there was three crocodile tears, and then I pulled it together and said "This is what we do, and we will figure it out together." An hour outside playing with dogs and my mother was very therapeutic before having to pack the bags, trailer, snacks, and get showers to leave for the night--18 hour trip ahead of us!

We left at 5:30 and drove to Amarillo Texas the first night, and had to make the rest of the trip the next. We stopped at 11:00 and we were up by 4:30 to start again. I decided to take the first leg of the trip so I could take a nap and then do some more driving so Donnie could rest before work. No longer than ten minutes on the highway, I see red and blue behind me and FREAK out--1)I am getting pulled over 2) just learned how to drive straight with a 20 foot trailer, now how do I pull off on the rough road?!?!? 3) My id was packed in the back 4)Donnie is going to love this. My Lopez was very nice and gave me two warnings, one for no headlight and one for guess what--SPEEDING! I made it through Albuquerque NM morning traffic (that was rough)! I would have to say that I had the better leg of the trip, Donnie had to drive through the bottom of the Grand Canyon, I thought it was never going to end!

We made it here safely and I have to say that we are getting good at knowing who needs to do what to get our trip on the road and going. Don made it to work on Wednesday and was happy to hear that he will be working 5-10 hour days and off on weekends, and I will say that I am happy too. He will be putting up one unit here and it is half the size he is use to working with.

On Saturday we were able to take in Zion National Park and we completed a 5 mile hike that was beautiful, we had a great day together. We both woke up the next morning wondering how old we are, because we were feeling that hike. We look forward to doing more here, and we are happy that "our adventure" has brought us to another place safe and together.

Had to Teach Him to Blog

2009-08-18T07:36:00.000-07:00

Just a few more pictures from Dallas TX!

Donnie loved this bird--Do you think they look a little bit alike?

Well after reading the blog post that my husband did last night, I might turn the blog over to him. I watched him write it while I was cooking dinner and he had his wonderful smirk on his face the whole time he was typing--rhymes, and wonderful picture captions--isn't he clever : ) I love him so much! Just a few more of my favorites from our trip to Dallas Texas.

A top the grassy knoll

2009-08-17T16:45:00.000-07:00

Several weeks and no work,

I was about to go baserk.

I relaxed as I pondered,

Where else shall we wonder?

We'd come from the west,

Went east for some rest,

Spent the fourth to the north,

Let's head down towards Ft. Worth.

We rolled down out of the Sooner state to the land of the lone star. We got ourselves put up in a downtown hotel. Most of the people there looked as though they were on business, or they had a different definition of casual than I did. We took in the JFK museum, the aquarium and the circus. The circus marked the top of Sarah's list. A motorcycle on a tight rope sparked a intriguing conversation on torque.

The aquarium: Where fish swim, but dreams fly!

You know what I like? I like pink flamingos standing on one leg! I think I get one of these for our front lawn some day.

Branson---here we come!

2009-08-17T16:30:00.000-07:00

On July 14th Don and I gave my parents a much needed break from us and we headed to Branson Missouri for a four day trip. We went on a time-share package(anything to make it cheap)! We received two free tickets to Silver Dollar City for our time share participation and our room at the Angel Inn--a five star hotel (haha)! We enjoyed going on the DUCKS, which drives you around town and then into the lake--I got to drive the boat! A fun day at Silver Dollar City, and Dixie Stampede for dinner. It was a quick but wonderful trip.

Donnie all smiles.

Waiting at the DUCKS!

Look at me driving the boat.

Everyone thought we were on our honeymoon, guess we are still in love : )

QUACK KISSES

Matt a nd Jen Say " I DO"

2009-08-17T08:29:00.001-07:00

July 8th 2009 was Matt and Jennifers Marry day! It was a beautiful ceremony and a fun reception where everyone was able to sit around and visit with old family and friends. Don and I enjoyed watching Miss Anna all day while the bride and groom were getting ready for their big day. What a wonderful thing to have a new sister in the family! Congrats to my brother and Jennifer!

The Gibson family.

Jennifer reading her vows.

Papa Al and Mama.

The Groom and Father of the Groom-two studs if you ask me.

Little Miss Anna and her parents.

July 4th 2009

2009-08-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

On July 4th 2009 Don and I met the Stahl/Schatz family for a fun filled weekend in the Black Hills in South Dakota. We celebrated an anniversary, and three birhtdays--it was great. We went into a small city waiting for the fireworks from Mt. Rushmore, only to find that we couldn't see them due to the clouds/fogs. We didn't let this damper our fun, we had one day with everyone playing on four wheelers, dirt bikes, and bike rides on beautiful trails. We took in the rodeo, and it was a great Bull Riding competition. It was a peaceful and relaxing weekend and we are grateful that we saw our family and took in the great nature that God has given us to play in.

Justin, Bev, Kaite, Heidi, Grandpa Schatz, and Donnie

Grandpa Schatz and the girls--all looking very nice ; )

Heidi and Donnie at the Rodeo

Brent and Bev waiting for the fireworks !!!!

Donnie and Katie

2009-07-17T18:22:00.000-07:00

Anna is a BIG Girl NOW!! Happy 1st Birthday to my sweet niece. We celebrated Anna's birthday a little early because Don and I thought we would be gone to the next job, but we got a pleasant surprise when we got to celebrate her birthday with our family twice! Here are a few pictures of her early birthday celebrations.

Anna walking around after dinner.

Secrets and kisses maker her smile ; )

Opening her gifts.

Cheerios are the best!

Dad and Don--I think my dad would keep him and trade me if it came to it!

Where are we Now!

2009-07-17T18:17:00.000-07:00

Don and I packed up my car, the truck and a new trailer that we bought for our cross country trip on June 28th and headed east for our new destination. We made the trip nice and easy by doing eight hour days and enjoying the drive from California to Oklahoma were we are now staying with my folks--Thank you to my parents ; ) We have had two weeks off now and finally heard that we will be heading to KenTUckY--the place we were praying to go. We will leave July 25th for another six month trip and see where our life will take us from there. Don has got some well deserved time off and we have enjoyed spending the days together.

BrOWn EyES

2009-06-23T13:09:00.000-07:00

Now tell me how you could say no to those eyes and that face. Don and I have been married for almost ten months and it has gone so fast. Our lives have changed a lot in those ten months. We said "I Do" on Sept 6, packed our house and car and traveled to California together in a truck with a cat and still love each other ; ) We moved into an apartment in Fresno on January 4th, and stayed for six months. This last weekend we packed our apartment and moved to the townplacesuites, with the cat again ; ) and we should be here for a week. We are looking forward to vacation in Rapid City with the Stahl family over July 4th and then seeing our Gibson family on the July 6th for a wedding (Matt and Jennifers). After vacation the plans are either to Montana or Kentucky--it is in Gods hands. So back to how could I say no to those brown eyes, Don is the rock in out family and cares and provides for us in ways I never could of imagined. I am truly blessed to have been given such a wonderful man and husband. He is calm and patient and I am crazy and so not patient--but being together, on what we now call our "adventure" we are learning how to take a little of each other and put them into ourselves. Don enjoys talking more, where there are days I just want to be quite. I feel I am a better person because of my husband. Some people ask why we do this, and we each say we do it because we are together going through each day with our love one by our side. Only God knows where our "adventure" will take us--but we both have our heads up high and know he will make the right decision for both of us.

Yosemite Pictures

2009-06-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

The falls at Yosemite!

Our picnic backpack from Katie--this was a Christmas Gift and I love it. It is made for two, has all the dishes and silverware--we use it all the time--thanks Katie ; )

What a handsome man that I get to call husband.

1931 MODEL A

2009-06-23T12:42:00.000-07:00

Look what Don found-- a 1931 Model A that we could rent for the day and drive around Yosemite Park--it was such a wonderful day! We went to the Tin Lizzie Inn where a man and wife run a B&B during the summer and also have old cars to rent, for the day or even six day trips. The man restored old RVs and then moved on to cars, he informed us that he only had an eighth grade education and had to find a way to support his family--they were such nice people. So off we went in our Model A, Don looked like a pro driving it ( I was a nervous wreck for the first twenty minutes)! We got a lot of stares and pictures taken--we were famous. Life was simple that day, no radio, no turn signals, and oh yeah got somewhere to be--can't rush in this thing-35 mph Don got it up to--and he was holding on to the steering wheel with both hands. It did start to rain, had to figure out how to put the top up, no side windows to roll up, and the windshield wiper (single) Don had to pull himself when he couldn't see. We loved it, but found ourselves to be so worn out after riding in that car--not a luxury package by any means. Don could walk back into that part of time and fit right in, slow moving, watches the world as it moves around him, and his smirk on his face all day was priceless!

Don driving, can't you see him in this car everyday.

Stud muffin-he looks like a bad guy here

Right before we left the Tin Lizzie Inn

1931 Model A

VIvA LaS VegAS!

2009-06-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

ON MAY 22ND DONNIE AND I DECIDED TO TRAVEL TO LAS VEGAS...WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS--WINK WINK! WE PLANNED THE TRIP FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, WE HAD PLANNED FOR ABOUT A SIX HOUR DRIVE, WHICH TURNED INTO ABOUT EIGHT ON A TWO LANE ROAD. DON WAS NERVOUS TO TAKE ME AT FIRST, BECAUSE I ENJOY TO GAMBLE A LITTLE TO MUCH, BUT I WAS GOOD WITH MONEY AND ACTUALLY WAS VERY OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE GAMBLING THAT WAS AVAILABLE! WE SPENT ONE WHOLE DAY AT THE BEACH AT OUR HOTEL THE MANDALAY BAY, ENJOYED THE SHOW "O" AT THE BELLIGIO AND A COMEDY SHOW ON OUR LAST NIGHT. WE HAD A GREAT TRIP BUT BOTH WOKE UP MONDAY MORNING AT SIX A.M. AND WERE READY TO HIT THE ROAD TO GET BACK HOME. VIVA LAS VEGAS!

Don after saving some money at McDonald's breakfast, made him happy ; )

Don on the strip.

At the beach at Mandalay Bay--what a great day.

LetS Go FIshINg

2009-06-14T13:01:00.001-07:00

Father/Daughter Fishing Day is very much a scheduled,planned afternoon when I come home, and I have to say it is one of the days I look forward to the most! Dad will usually have two or three extras poles in the back of the truck waiting on me, because he knows I will get the line in at least two of the poles caught up, in a knot, or in a tree...this is how I work!
Dad has always taken the time to include me in his hobbies and joys, what a wonderful man that I get to call dad! Usually this day starts with him getting the truck ready while I am still asleep, wake up coffee, and off we go. Stop at the gas station for pizza dough bread and a roll..forget Weight Watchers this day ; ) Then off to the pond where we will have long talks, dad letting me catch the big ones, and lots of line fixing. Thanks to such a wonderful Dad!

This is my big one of the day!

Kisses for the Fishy!

What a stud!

I think he took my catfish and took a picture with it ; )

Home Sweet Home

2009-06-14T12:46:00.000-07:00

In April not much was going on with my work, and Don was finding his work to be very busy getting him home around 8:00 at night, so we decided that it would be a good time to go see my parents and family. I had a great trip, all but the flying (some of you already know my flying abilities)! It was nice to see everyone, Little Anna had grown so much from the last time that I had seen her---nine months old in these pictures. I was glad to get home, to my husbands "MAN HOUSE" full of dishes and laundry!

He Can Sleep Anywhere!!!!

2009-03-30T10:51:00.000-07:00

Donnie taking his Sunday nap in the Sunshine by the river at Yosemite! I couldn't sleep that well--you know there are big bears there and all : )

So snuggled

Feed his belly, give him a blanket on the ground and wait for the snores!

Just the Two of Us!

2009-03-30T10:45:00.001-07:00

Don at Yosemite for our picnic lunch!

Logger Train at Sugar Pine--March 29, 2009

2009-03-30T10:36:00.000-07:00

Don and I went to the Sugar Pine Logger Train this weekend and had a great time. The train use to run through Yosemite and cut down the redwoods--workers worked six days a week, 10 hour days for 10 cents pay! This little train car we went on was named the "Jenny Car" after one of the gentleman's granddaughters because they couldn't get her off it! The train goes into the woods to a small spot where on the weekends they have live music and steak dinner--we will have to venture back for that! We had a great time together and the weather was wonderful!

Don waiting to go!

He checked out the engine on this thing for over thiry minutes--had to inspect everything before we left--he is so cute!

HaPPy 27th BIrthDAy DoNNie!!

2009-03-30T10:29:00.000-07:00

Eating his yummy cake

His new police man shades!

Make a WISH!

Yeah I know yellow flowers...but it was yummy

The birthday boy with his 27th cake

Big Cat Refuge

2009-03-30T10:23:00.000-07:00

After going to see General Grant, we were driving home and came across this Large Cat Refuge in the middle of nowhere. It was neat to get to see these animals up close, they all interacted with the staff, and some were a little cranky that day, jumping on their fences and showing their teeth at everyone--MMMEEEEOOOWWW!

I think I became a cat for awhile ;)

Don--having oh so much fun

This was my favorite cat, he kept running and hiding and then coming up to the fence to scar the kids, and it was working--I think he knows what he was doing

This was the head caregiver, this cat walked right up to her and started licking her--and when she left he looked so sad : (

Genreal Grant--March 8, 2009

2009-03-30T10:15:00.000-07:00

We went to Kings Canyon, about an hour from our house, to see the third largest tree in the world--General Grant. It was very impressive when you got up close to it. As you can see there was still snow in the mountains, and a little cold for what we have been getting use to here in California--wonder what we would be saying if we still lived in South Dakota ; 0

A Day At the Park

2009-03-30T10:10:00.001-07:00

What a fun day I had getting to go to the park and enjoy the birds! I went to Woodward Park here in Fresno for a walk in the sunshine and these ducks were everywhere!

This is my favorite picture--the three amigos!

Mardi Gras in Fresno!

2009-03-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

Who needs to travel for Mardi Gras...Don and I went to the Tower District on our
Sunday Date Day to watch the parade and hang out with some fun people! We had
a great time and even got some beads!

PBR

2009-02-20T09:32:00.001-08:00

When Don and I first moved to Fresno we had some trouble finding things to do in Fresno,
so we went to the Fresno State webpage and the Superdome was having the PBR (Bull Riding)
right here in Fresno--we got our tickets and had our first Friday night date night in California
at the rodeo--go figure : ) I hope you enjoy the pictures.

San Francisco

2009-02-16T10:52:00.000-08:00

On February 6 California received some much needed rain, and needed rain means muddy work site for Don, muddy work site = Don gets early Friday day, Saturday and Sunday off = a weekend trip to San Francisco! We left on Saturday around noon, after sleeping in until 9:00 : ) We arrived in San Francisco around three crossing the Bay Bridge (I HaTE bridges) and off to the Golden Gate Bridge, get them all done in one day! We enjoyed walking across the bridge and feeling it shake under our feet when we stood still-NOT! We headed to the hotel , cleaned up and a night out on the town--while walking in my very cute high heels (yes high heels in hilly San Fran) I feel flat on the bootie in the middle of the street-everyone around us made that horrible noise---OOOHHHH! I was on my feet before I even knew I fell, Don said I looked like a champ crossing the street, but soon was hiding behind a wall and crying : ( I walked on it for awhile and decided that it should be fine. OUCH-I woke up the next morning at 6:30 and almost fell over when standing up, I woke Don up (he wasn't very pleased) and told him I think its broke-a phone call to my dad-and we were off to the ER at 6:45 (again Don was really tired!) Good news its not broke-here is some Motrin--back to the hotel for a few hour nap, and we decided to wrap up my ankle and visit Alcatraz--this was an amazing thing to see. My sweet husband walked slow with me all day and gave me his arm every chance he could--I LOVE HIM! We spent a good part of the afternoon looking at the island. Our last stop was the curvy road--I don't think I would want to live on that street. We both had fun but have decided that we like grass, seeing the sky, and not having to drive thirty minutes to find parking! We are very thankful that we are given this chance in our life to see new things, be together, and love each other with all of our heart. : )

Pictures from Monterey...

2009-02-03T12:42:00.000-08:00

Monterey Bay and Pebble Beach

2009-02-03T12:12:00.001-08:00

Well Sunday around here is known as Stahl Sunday Date Day since Don works everyday but Sunday. This last weekend Don called on Saturday afternoon and said "Lets get out of town." I packed an overnight bag, picked him up at work and we traveled to Monterey Bay for the evening and Sunday-it was so nice, not to many people beacause of the Super Bowel!

We enjoyed the morning with a small walk on the beach(the water is still pretty cold, there were alot of divers going in though) and then off to the wax museum. After this we enjoyed a 3D movie at the IMAX with a show of the World Under the Sea--things were swimming right in front of us : ) Then we walked to the Monterey bay Aquarium which was the highlight of the trip! We left at three in the afternoon for the 17 mile drive around Pebble Beach and Golf Course, lots of homes were for sale in this area of California! We got home around eight in the evening and Donnie was in bed by eight thirty! We are blessed to have each night together, and I count down the days of the week for Sunday to spend a whole day with my wonderful husband! We love and miss everyone, hope the week is going well for each and everyone of you. God Bless-Hugs!

Well Here we are BLOGSPOT!

2009-01-22T17:14:00.000-08:00

Ok so I guess I thought it was time to try this thing out even though I can hear Don saying, "Don't you do enough of those things on the internet already?!"

Don and I meet in Oklahoma City on March 17. 2007 at Bakers Street Pub and Grill-I was out with the girls and he with the boys--can still hear my mom saying "you will find him whhen you are not looking" and boy was she right!

We dated for nine months and were engaged on December 19, 2008 in Oklahoma City at Red Rock, yummy what a place to eat (now we have a reason to make it back there!)

I moved to South Dakota (long accent over the oootta) to be closer to Don due to his job moving him to Groton, SD. I lived in Sioux Falls and we traveled three hours one way to see each other on our days off.

We worked hard and planned our wedding (with alot of phone calls home to mom) for September 6, an outdoor festival. Haha the Lord didn't plan for that though, as the day came so did the RAIN! We, and by we I mean all my bridesmaids, mother, mother-in-law, flower lady, church people went into super speed action mode and got the church looking beautiful just as all the guest arrived, while i was tucked away in the second graders classroom --thanks to everyone! It turned out to be the most beautiful day, rain or shine-beacuse I married the man of my dreams!

On Septemebr 8, 2008 we left for PUERTO RICO---boy did we feel like kids sitting on top of the world, eight days on an island with the one you love, who could ask for more. A few problems arriving, no luggage made it there, but we took with a smile on our face. Once returning to the airport my sweet husband(who can't read Spanish-nor can I for that matter) parked in a tow away zone-just added one more memory to our story! We had an amazing trip!

And that brings us to now, Don was told that he was being transferred to California with his job and we both decided the only way to make a family work, is to be a family together. We loaded everything up in a POD(the greatest invention ever) and packed up the truck, car,SamBob the cat and headed off the west where we call home now---Fresno California! The trip here was an experience, made us a stronger couple, and I proved to my husband that I can ride a snowmobile like the boys at Togotee Mountain, he was impressesd I might add.

So that brings us today in a nut shell. I love bing home when Don gets off work and we find ourselves enjoying the weather that California offers, compared to South Dakota! Well i work on this soon, but need to get dinner going XOXOXOX