Merry Christmas!!!!!

The Rexburg Temple Guiding the Way

This is a shot from our car coming down 7th South. Can you see the faint out line of the Temple?

I took this after church two days ago standing in front of the church looking toward the parking lot. The parking lot is full but you can only see two or three cars.

If April showers bring May Flowers, then what do April blizzards bring? It was bright beautiful a two weeks ago. Last Sunday a blizzard broke out during church. The wind was so strong up on the hill in the dry farms. Harvest Hills Chapel get the weather in full force. Complete White Out! We couldn't see more than a few feet in front of us. It was scary driving home. We finally could see a little bit once we came down the hill towards the Temple.

Upper GI Endoscopy

This is my GI doctor who will be performing the endoscopy on thursday.

On Thursday April 2nd I am going to get an Upper Gastro-Intestinal Endoscopy. I will only be partially sedated and I will recover that day. The dangers of this procedure are very small and very rare. I should recover within a few hours.
Dr. Wingerson will view my esophagus, stomach, and small intestine with a camera. He will probably take biopsies of all of those organs, too. He will be able to tell if I have Chrons, Celiac disease, bacteria overgrowth, parasites, or esophageal reflux or strictures. I need this procedure because I am having a hard time recovering from my latest flare up of Ulcerative Colitits. I have shown many signs of things that could be making it hard for me to recover. Also, it is good to know if I have Chrons. The colon can only be removed in Ulcerative Colitis and not Chrons even though they are treated in the same way. This procedure could also explain my frequent lack of appetite, energy, and my difficulty swallowing. Within the next few weeks I will also test my blood sugar, my iron levels, and my adrenal gland performance. Please keep us in your prayers during this time. These tests will be very revealing no matter what the outcome and could provide us with a clear idea of what to do next. We are so grateful for every one's prayers, help, and support. Thank you.

Glenn Miller Night

Our fancy Table

We got free tickets to night of dinner, dancing, and jazz. Benjamin offered to record the Sugar Salem High School Jazz Band at their annual event- Glenn Miller Night- in return they let us party for free. The music will soon be accesable to anyone for free online.

The band

The dance floor

The middle school gym transformed.

Benjamin and I both played in this band in our high school days. He played guitar and Bass. I played French horn and Trumpet. Mr. Seare really made our time in his programs fun, exciting, and meaningful. We owe a lot to that kind, loving man. Thanks Mr. Seare!

Flower Show

bubble wrap wall paper painting

the path to the green houses. It was like walking through a rainbow. There was a section with all the different colors of the rainbow. There was even a colored waterfall fountain.

Graduation party. Can you believe the rubix cube is a cake!?!

These are the tabels for the Grad party. There were all sorts of bright colors on the other ones.

Grad party Art

The wall is swirly paint covered in bubble wrap. It looked awesome with bean bags, lava lamps, bright colors. The lights were lower but my camera flash ruined the atmosphere.

Kylie, my sister in law, worked on this room. It was an asian wedding reception. It was beautiful!

Another gorgeous table setting for the Asian design roomg

This was part of the Asian Room that Kylie worked on

Aren't these colors awesome together?

I loved the seashells in this boquet.

Broadway Flowers!!!

Every year ByuI puts together a flower and bridal Show. You walk throught the different wedding receptions that they set up. This year the theme was "Gathering with a Melody in Your Heart" They used music as the theme and created different events. There was a country western wedding, an Asian dinner party/reception, a jazz new years eve swing dance, a techno graduation party, an elegant classical wedding receiption, a summer beach party, and a whole bunch of other displays and walk ways. Each horticulter student had to do a project. My sisters Kylie and Bethany both made beautiful boquets and the put together the fun rooms. Some did interprative arrangments that were displayed along with the art work that inspired them. My friend Mary Ann created an amazing broken glass mosaic with flowers. There were so many beautiful displays. It is awesome to have a Father inlaw who is the head of the hort program. My husband brings home lots of flowers! I am sad that my camera ran out of bateries before I got to kylie and bethany's boquets. Check out these blogs:
The Girl Who Loves Flowers
Flower Prof: Ben Romney
Doug Stewart's Landscape Portfolio

My Sister's New Blog

My sister Emily started her own blog. It is super cute! I love that girl so much!
Its over on the side under my Family Blogger Links.

The Cousins are Coming!

Its always exciting when Damon and Shawna and kids make a visit. They came up from Price Utah to ski and visit the family. We had a big get together with all the cousins and aunts and uncles.

Mom, Ava, and Emily

Amy and Kyle

Ava and Luke eating cake and Ice cream

Luke Andreasen-Jinger and Carl's little one.

Cru, Corbin, Gage, and me started a power ranger team.
They told me that I could be the pink one. I think it is so cute how Cru keeps saying "We're Missing one! We're Missing One!" and when I say who he says, "Ya! You!" He thought that I should be in the movie too. Before long Luke, Ava, Emily were all part of the team. We attacked Benjamin and made masks out of contruction paper and string.

Benjamin's Concert

I am just going to post a series of movies that I got of my husband's concert. He is the bass player on the outside. It was a wonderful concert. The little camera didn't give it justice. Luckily, Benjamin recorded the Orchestra and has a very good, clear recording of the whole concert.

Joseph's Game

This is my "little" brother Joseph's basketball game. He is 13 years old and in the 7th grade. He is sooooooo tall! He towers over my parents, Benjamin, and my brother and sister! He has such curly thick hair that makes a really good fro. Good job Joseph. He is number 38.

Lets Hear It for America: Hip Hooray!

Last week I went to see my sweet little sister perform in her 5th Grade American History program. She danced in the Boogie Woogie Bugle boy song and she had a group solo in " Everybody's Got to have a Hero" song. Good job Emily! sorry about my bad video taping. I am still getting used to my new camera.

Party!

Have your cake and eat it, too! 

Ping Pong Tournament

The Cake

Happy Birthday Jonathon

Happy Birthday Papa Ben and Amy Jo

For Family Night last Monday we celebrated Jonathon, PapaBen, and Amy's Birthday at the Romney Place. We all opened our gifts and and played table tennis. It was so much fun. Kylie and Anth got me a whole bunch of rice krispies (my favorite), Pete and Jonathon got me my favorite kind of lotion, my parents in law got me a digital tv converter and an antanea so that we can have a few channels on our tv (also a cute watch, money to help with a dresser, and some clothes.) My neice Lydia even made me an adorable homemade book mark! Thank you everyone. 

My husband gets a little wound up playing ping pong. 

New World Symphony

Everyone is invited to come hear Benjamin play in the tabernacle community orchestra tonight. It starts at 7:30 and is at the old Rexburg Tabernacle by the library. They are playing Dvorjak's New World Symphony. It is truly a beautiful song. Richard Fergeson will be featured on the violin. 

I think Benjamin is so talented!

Check it Out: #2 Nature For Kids

Hello every one! I have a lot of new blogger friends and family. I just want to inform the new comers of some great links I have on the side of my blog. Keep an eye out for spotlights on some of my favorite sites. Check it out: 

Cross Country Skiing With Babies

My cousin Corbin the climber

Water fun: Aunt Jinger, cousins-Gage, Luke, and Cru

Uncle Damon and cousin Cru 

Little cousin Ava sporting a cute Nature Noggin handmade beanie. 

NATURE FOR KIDS: The Purpose of Nature for Kids is to encourage families with young children to enrich their lives through wholesome outdoor recreation.

This blog web page was put together by my awesome aunt and uncle: Damon and Shawna Andreasen. 

Shawna Says: "My husband and I have always been the out-of-doors type. So when we had our first child we set out to expose him to the love we had for nature. He quickly became the one dragging us out the front door. After adding two more children to the mix we found that being in nature was a crucial part of their development and enjoyment.

It’s not easy taking all three kids under the age of 6 on outdoor trips however. It takes a lot of preparation and internal motivation. But once we are immersed in the experience we realize once again that it is totally worth it.

One day I was talking with my husband, Damon, about how I wanted to compile all the information that we’ve learned, mostly through trial and error, so that we could share it with other families who have small children. I sincerely wanted other children to experience just a portion of what I personally saw my kids experience in nature.

He loved the idea and has since continually encouraged me to make something of it. I slowly have begun compiling information; putting things to memory after learning something from a trip or saving articles and books I come across while reading."

The result is Nature For Kids.

They put together ideas for taking kids on adventures in nature. Even Infants. They have tips on camping with babies, out door photography, hiking, nature crafts and experiments, rock climbing, and so on. Shawna even sells amazing handmade beanies for kids on her etsy shop that you can access from there. 

I have such fond memories of the adventures Damon adn shawna would take me and my cousins/siblings on. We explored ice caves and waterfalls, went skiing, went rock climbing, went horseback riding, made dream catchers and Big Medicine Pouches to keep our treasures in, figured out treasure maps (once the treasure was tokens for the arcade. After we found the booty damon took us to play arcade games.), went target shooting, navigated ropes courses, and went hiking. Thanks Damon and Shawna. Those fun times meant alot to us and I know your kids will feel the same way. 

Birthday Bash

Benjamin bought me this book! He wants me to read it to him when we finish Inkheart.

My visiting teachers brought me a whole plateful of these cute cupcakes and the matching purple flowers shown above. I love purple and green together!

Happy Birthday Grandma Jo!

My little sister made me a wooden pokey stick. She cut down the willow, peeled off the bark, rounded the bottom, carved the markings, and widdled it to a point. Thanks Emily!!! I love it!!!!! Your the best!

What a season of celebration! A few weeks ago my new cousin Kyle was born. On Feb 26th it was my Birthday and my Grandma Jolene Nissen's Birthday. The 28th was my visiting teacher Vivian's Birthday. Yesterday (March 1) was Papa Ben's Birthday, Tomorrow is my Aunt Nikki's Birthday, The 4th is my Brother in Law Jonathon's b-day, The 5th is my best bud Catherine's birthday, and soon my new nephew Stewart #3 will be born. April 2 is Grandpa Gary, Tax day is mama Kaye, and April 27 is my brother Riley. We will celebrate for him early becuase he might be at boot camp on his birthday. Oh and I almost forgot my nephews Jacob and Myles recently both had Birthdays and my sister Kylie. Happy Birthday Everyone!( Sorry If I missed anyone. ) 

I have always had awesome birthdays.

 16th birthday: the high school caught on fire. I was at school just long enough to get a few gifts from my friends and a first date with my sweetheart (now my husband). We were let out of school for the rest of the day and a few days after to let the smoke air out. That day a bunch of my friends went over to Little Ceasers and bought a bunch of 5 dollar Pizzas. At the time it was right next door to my dad's office. He saw Jessie Rudd outside with pizza and he asked what was going on. She said that the school was burning down and school was let out and a bunch of people were going to suprise me. My dad hurried an called me to tell me they were coming. He knows that I only like mild suprise parties. He gave me chance to clean up the house real quick and get cute before the boy I had a crush on (agian, my husband) came over with flowers, pizza, and a big group of people. 

17th Birthday: I was going to go on a date with Benj on my birthday. The day before, when I asked him what time he would pick me up, he made up some excue like, "oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Maybe another time ok?" Then he just walked away without another word. I was terrified that he didn't like me anymore. So instead I went to lunch with Brodie, Jeff, Lindsay, Mal, and Kendra (my theatre friends). After a few hours of hanging out at Jeff's house, my dad called and said that he had a scary feeling that something bad was going to happen and that he wanted me to come home right away. I thought I was going to die on my birthday! So I hurried home. I opened the garage door to pull the car in and inside was the giant 15 seater Romney van. Benjamin was standing there with flowers and a bunch of my other friends, my brother and cousins. We loaded up the van and Benj took us to Blast Off for a few rounds of Lazer Tag and pizza. It was so fun! Then we took everyone home and Benj and I watched a movie together. 

This year I got a new Camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you mom and dad! We are really excited to be able to take good pictures. It is an Olympus FE-20. It has 8 megpixels and a bunch of different settings. I don't know much about photography terminology so i am not sure what that even means. But I sure do love it.  Benjamin also made me breakfast, and took me out to dinner. He got me that book shown above, a bunch of lotions that I like, the Paul Mitchell Hair stuff I like, a gift card for The Hair Academy so that I can go pamper myself, and some craft stuff (Cyrstal Laquer). Thansk everyone!