*LAS***VEGAS*

After some fun days in St. George Dallen and I headed farther south to Las Vegas! Each year Dallen's work holds some meetings there where they have to do yearly certifications and tests to be able to work on the rail road. I hadn't ever been to Vegas before and I felt like an extension of spring break with Dallen would be great so I came as well! On our way down, the canyons were pretty cool and the steep rock walls towered over us so I took some pics along the way....

On our drive we noticed that all of the cars we were passing were all from different states so we started keeping track. It amazed us as we continued down the road to find that there were 14 cars IN A ROW that were from different states. After that there were a couple duplicates of state plates but over all we saw 23 different plates just on our drive from St. George to Vegas! Here is a list of the ones we wrote down:

Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska, California, Utah, Virginia, Iowa, Wyoming, Minnesota, Indiana, Alberta Canada, Tennessee, North Dakota, Saskatchewan Canada, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, New Mexico, British Columbia, Idaho, Georgia, Florida, and Illinois

After a couple hours of driving we made it to our destination: The Orleans Hotel! This was my very first time to Las Vegas and I was amazed with how BIG it was. There were skyscrapers all over the place and the city stretched out as far as an eye could see. It was cool but crazy to think of how many people, houses, cars, money, buildings, etc. was in that one area.

Spencer and Kaitlin came down as well and it was great to have them there. We spent one of our afternoons walking on the strip. It was crazy how elaborate everything was! We walked for what seemed like 10 miles and finally made it to the Stratosphere where we rode the rollercoasters on the top! It was crazy how high up we were and amazing to be able to look out over al of the city. Spencer, Dallen and I went on two different rides and I LOVED it! Anything that invoves an adrenaline rush or rollercoasters I am drawn towards. I screamed the entire time but had a blast every second of it. Next year when we come here we'll have to go again so Kait can come with us :)

The view from the top of the Stratosphere was amazing!

During the day Kait and I spent our time in the rooms making rag rugs. It was pretty funny when we had to make a trip out to the car to get the sewing machine and take it to the 14th floor of a casino hotel :) Sewing and knitting probably aren't the most popular things to do when you come to Vegas but we did it! haha.... We had a fun time while the boys were in classes.

On one of the nights the Union Pacific reserved a bowling alley for everybody to go play. We were able to bowl 4 games which was a lot of fun!

(Janessa and Dallen)

Dallen and Spencer's working gang with their new bowling shirts

(Kaitlin and Spencer)

Although Vegas is considered to be "Sin City" there are great places to visit and see. One of them being the LDS Temple! Kait, Spence, Dallen and I were able to visit and attend the temple and we loved it. I thought it was great to be able to leave the smoke, drinking, smells, and filthy area we had been in for a couple of days, and come to a place that was beautiful, clean, peaceful, and spiritual. The outside landscaping was beautiful as was the inside of the temple.

(some pics of the outside)

This trip was an eye opener but it helped me have a greater appreciation for the standards that we have chosen to live. It is such a blessing to be able to wake up each day knowing that we are clean, our bodies are healthy, Dallen and I are loyal to each other, we have shared goals of becoming better, and we have extra strength from above that is helping us on our way. I am so thankful for my husband and for where we are in our lives. We are very blessed.

I am so glad that I took the extra week off of school to come and spend time with Dallen. It was great to be able to spend 2 weeks in a row with my best friend and to make some great memories! We look forward to more trips and great times in the future together!

Spring Break 2012

I was able to have a whole week off of school this year for spring break which was great! On Thursday morning Dallen and I got up early and headed to the warm weather in St. George to watch Hunter play in some baseball games. My dad is the head coach of the team and my family all traveled to watch the team so it was great to be able to see all of my family! We watched a game in St. George and then the next day traveled to Cedar City to see the next game. The boys played pretty good, being their first time on a field this year (Monticello fields are still covered in snow) and it was fun to watch. They didn't win any of their games but they are improving and have a lot of potential as their team is made of all freshmen and sophomores with only one junior. Hunter played as the catcher in both games and was able to make a couple points for the team. We stayed in St. George Thursday night and were able to meet up with Chris Ray and his family for dinner at a great mexican place. We also spent some time at the hotel pool playing in the sun and water with friends and family. It was great to have some fun in the sun!
The game in Cedar City was much colder than St. George and the wind was blowing. It felt like we were back in Monticello watching the game! We bought some hot chocolate and all snuggled under a blanket and we were good after that :) Dallen and I loved being able to spend time with family and to see them in their activites.

Dallen and I stayed in Cedar City on Friday night and then went to Brian Head on Saturday, (St. Patricks Day) to go snowboarding for one last time this season. When we arrived at the resort it was really windy and cold but we decided to tough it out and go anyways. When we went to buy our tickets the guy working said that all the lifts except for lift 6 were closed due to the wind and that they were hoping to get the others running later that afternoon. The tickets were half price since most of the resort was closed so we decided to take our chances and snowboard on what we could for the day.... Well after we bought our passes and went outside to the lift, we found out that lift 6 was the fun run (or bunny hill) and that was the ONLY lift that was running! We thought that it would be a decent sized hill since there were more than 6 lifts at the resort and we expected it to be something similar to the Sundance resort in the Provo Canyon... Our guess was wrong and so we boarded the bunny hill which was about 300 yds. long and pretty flat. We only lasted about 5 runs until we were ready to move onto something bigger and better. After debating on what we should do we decided to try and sell our tickets and we would find something else to do. Our tickets didn't sell so we just left to go back to our hotel.

On our way back Dallen spotted a riverbank that had a whole bunch of smashed cars on it so we took a little walk to see what they looked like up close. Afterwards we found a redbox and rented some movies to watch at the hotel. We went to dinner, swam in the pool and hot tub, watched some movies, and enjoyed eachother's company. Although our snowboarding plans didn't work out as we though they would, we had a great day and were so happy to be together! It was a great spring break and I was excited to be able to share it with the people I love the most!

-CHANGE-

A lot has happened this past week and I have spent a number of hours reflecting on a variety of different topics. In doing so, I remembered an old saying that I heard from someone stating that "life is very consistent.... consistent in CHANGE." As I go throughout life I have realized that this saying is so true and that everyday can bring about CHANGE...

CHANGE can be a scary thing because it can include unexpected events, insecurity, questions, new circumstances, differences, and more. But CHANGE can also be for the better and carry with it opportunities, improvements, blessings, answers, etc. I have come to the conclusion that without CHANGE (for the better or worse), our lives would be very boring. There wouldn't be a need for improvement, opportunities wouldn't arise, we wouldn't need to become critical thinkers or problem solvers, and life would be somewhat pointless. With the CHANGES that life throws at us we can all become better people, but we must have the motivation to stay positive and to continue doing our best no matter how hard it gets. I bring this up because some big CHANGES have happened this week...

In very short and simple explanations, Austin Wilcox, Shane Christensen, and Jake Jiles (all high school students from Monticello) were in a single car rollover caused by taking a turn too fast. Jake and Shane walked away with only a few bumps and bruises, but Austin was thrown from the vehicle. He landed on his head which fractured his neck and left him with some deep cuts and a lot of road rash. He was flown to the Grand Junction hospital where they took good care of him and he was informed that he will be able to recover, but it's going to take a very long period of time. Life for him will never be the way it was before.

This CHANGE not only effected Austin, but the whole community surrounding him and every person that knows him. Austin is an amazing athlete who took the state championships in wrestling this past season (the pic above), and plays football and baseball. He is popular at the school and is my brother's best friend as well as a great family friend of ours. Austin is very strong physically, and mentally. A lot of people look up to him and he is a great kid! Since this crash has happened, I can't seem to get it off my mind. I think we often forget how fragile life is and we take for granted the things that we have when life is good and going well. I have greatly been affected by the strength Austin has had and for the examples that others have taught me to be positive in all things. Yes, life can CHANGE in a matter of seconds and no matter how bad we wish we could go back and undo what has happened, we can't. The only thing that we are in control of is our attitude towards the future and our hope for improvement. We are continuing to pray for Austin's health and know that through his life, many will be CHANGED.

Hunter and Austin Maloy were able to go and visit Austin Wilcox while he was in the hospital at Grand Junction. We're so glad that he's improving as fast as he is!

Another CHANGE that happened this week is that I recieved a letter from Weber State University and Dixie State College with information regarding my Dental Hygiene applications. I was not accepted to either of the schools, but am on the waiting list for Dixie in case any students decide to drop out of the program. However, I am still waiting to recieve the results back from Utah Valley University which I should get within the next couple of weeks. Anyways, this new information has CHANGED a lot of ideas Dallen and I have had about moving. We won't be living in Spencer and Kaitlin's old house which was right by the Weber campus, which means we will either be staying in Lehi or moving farther south to St. George. Our hopes are still up that I will be able to get into a program this year, but if not, we know there is a better plan for us and that it was not meant to be.

On a more positive note, Dallen and I were able to book our first cruise this week! We are going to be celebrating our one year anniversary a little early by going on the Cozumel Mexico and Florida Keys cruise this May! In doing so, it has given me a great excuse and motivation to get "back into shape". I've been wanting to get back in to some kind of exercising schedule for a long time but just haven't done it. Anyways, I decided that our anniversary cruise would be a good motivation to make a CHANGE and get me going on an 8 week workout schedule as well. I printed all the workout plans from online, made an 8 week check list, and made a goal to stick to my plan. I guess we'll see in 8 weeks if it helped!

This week I was also given two different callings in the Wines Park Ward...This is going to be a BIG CHANGE in my sunday experience because the only callings I have ever had before involved visiting teaching. I was asked to be a primary teacher for the 9 year old's (joint class with boys and girls) and to also be the girl's activity day leader (ages 8-12). I haven't ever been a teacher with church things so its going to be a little out of my comfort zone or experience and I'm a little nervous!... but I know that with the help of the Lord, ANYTHING is possible! I am excited to meet the kids in our ward and to do my best to teach them what they need to know in their lives right now :) It's going to be a fun experience and I think it's going to help me prepare myself to be a better mother as well! I'm looking forward to it!

To sum it all up, CHANGE takes a lot of hard work and faith. We don't always know what is best for us or what trial might be waiting around the corner, but we do know that we can give everything our best effort! Dallen found this little comic and I love it so I thought I'd share...

It is kind of hard to read so here is what the comic says- ("First comes the dream, then comes the struggle, then there is victory... The problem is, most people give up during the struggle.... Never knowing how close they were to victory!! The only way you'll fail is if you Quit! Never! Never! Never Quit!!")

No matter what CHANGES may come your way, keep moving forward and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER QUIT!

"Hump Day" for Elder Proctor!

This morning as I looked out my window this is what I saw....SNOW!!! What a perfect day to get a snowfall as Dallen, Ed, and I had plans to go snowboarding and skiing at the Sundance resort in the Provo Canyon for Briar's one year mark on his mission. Dallen and I had a couple of things we needed to do before we headed up the mountain so we hurried as fast as we could to get our things done in time. And I must add that I appreciated him going out to my car to clean it off! It probably wasn't very nice of me to sit in the warm house and watch as he slipped a couple of times walking around my car, but it was nice when I got inside my car and it was already warmed up for me.

Soon enough we were on the mountain peak ready to hit the slopes for some fun! (and if Dallen's smile doesn't say enough, I'm not sure that anything will)

It didn't take long before Dallen and I realized that snowboarding wasn't meant to be such a "speedy sport" as we watched Ed fly down the hill on his ski's! We pushed ourselves to go as fast as we could, but it never failed that Ed would beat us to the bottom.

What a fun crew we had! We spent 100% of the time with smiles on our faces and excitement in our voices. It was so much fun being together and spending time doing something that we all enjoy! One of my friends, Sami LeFevre, was also able to come up a little later in the afternoon and we were able to take a couple runs down the hill with her and her friends.

I would definitely say that it was a day well spent although we did have a couple crashes here and there. It doesn't get much better than a ski resort with 33" of new powder and some fun toys to enjoy it with! All of us are so excited to go agian that we've already made plans for a big weekend when Briar gets home from his mission next year. By then we will be able to celebrate WITH him instead of FOR him :) More exciting days to look forward to! WE LOVE YOU BRIAR!

*Paxton Edward Carson*

Today is leap year day!... the day that Janice was scheduled to have her C-section for this handsome little man but he decided to come a little sooner and Janice was able to bring Paxton Edward Carson into our family on Monday, February 27, 2012. He was 18.5 inches long and weighed 7 lbs. and 6 oz. When Janice checked in to the hospital I recieved a call of the great news and headed to the hospital as soon as I got out of my classes at UVU (unfortunately Dallen was working in Oregon so he wasn't able to come for the first night). I met up with Ed, Christine, Candis, and the kids and we were able to see the baby for the first time. I was excited that I was able to be there the night that Janice had Paxton and I loved the feeling in the room. It made my eyes get teared up thinking about how precious and small this man was, and it made me really excited for when Dallen and I can have children of our own some day.

As you can see, it didn't take long before I became baby hungry and I felt like I couldn't get enough of this cute guy! I could have cuddled him all night long if they would have let me! :)

When Dallen came home from work on Tuesday night we made another trip to the hospital so he could see Paxton for his first time. It was so fun to be in that special room with all of our family again and to be able to hold this precious babe another time. I thought that Dallen looked great holding Paxton and seeing him with a grin from ear to ear made me feel even more baby hungry!

Janessa and Parli and Maclee

All the kids were fun to have there with us. All of them are super cute and each have fun and unique personalities!

We are so happy for the new addition that has been made to the Proctor family! We are excited for Janice and Casey as they have a newborn in their home now and are glad that the birth went well. Paxton is a healthy boy and we can't wait to get to know him better as he grows with the rest of us!

With the help of some great friends and family ANYTHING is possible!

I feel bad that I didn't take any pictures this past week but I have to say that I couldn't have done it without family and friends to help all along the way! Last Thursday Ed and Christine came up to my house to help me move in all the appliances and hook them up on our new and improved part of the duplex! I was surprised at how much we were able to get done in just a couple of hours! With the help of those two, we were able to finish putting up the baseboard, bring in the fridge, stove, washer, dryer, and hook up the new shower!! I felt so blessed to have their help and to be able to get so much accomplished in just a few hours! We ate out for dinner and then came back to the house where Ed gave me a blessing to help me with my Dental Hygiene applications at Dixie State College which would be held a few days later. I am thankful to them for their help and for the willingness and love they show to Dallen and I. Thanks Ed and Christine!!

On Friday I packed up my bags and made the trip to St. George where I stayed the night at Collette Curtis' house and the next day took entry tests for the Hygiene program. On Friday I did some shopping and found great deals at Ross! Thank you Dallen for allowing me to have my little shopping spree :) It was fun to buy some new outfits! After the shopping, I went to Collete's and we had fun just talking and catching up on the latests of our lives. ... AND of coarse we had to go out for some frozen custard to top off our dinner with a great dessert!

Collette showed me where she works and gave me a little tour of the whole building. She is like a principal for a huge daycare that provides everything a kid could ever want at a young age. This daycare is not just any ordinary daycare either. They provide the kids with sign language lessons, teach them their alphabet, how to respect others, good hygiene habits, how to start reading and writing, and basically teach them things that kids aren't expected to catch on to until later in life. Most of the kids end up skipping a grade and advancing ahead because by the time they leave the daycare (around 6 yrs old) they know most of everything that is taught in preschool and kindergarton. I loved how things were set up there and if I ever had the opportunity to take my kids there for the first 6 years of their lives I definitely would! On Saturday I took my tests at the Dental Hygiene school and felt alright about things when I was done. I gave it my all and now I just have to wait for a few more weeks to see if I can get accepted into the program. (Only 20 students are accepted).

On Sunday, Loren Randall, Sam Dort, and Ashlee Head all came over for dinner and helped me move the remainder of my house to the new side for a SURPRISE for Dallen. Dallen has been at work since last Monday and since Ed and Christine were able to help me get the 'BIG' stuff moved on Thursday, I figured I could finish the rest with a little extra help. My friends and I worked together and went from room to room moving things to the new side and by the time they left there were only a couple pictures and shelves that needed to be moved. I was amazed at the help they were able to give me! I appreciate their help so much and CAN'T WAIT to show Dallen when he gets home! He's going to be so surprised!!

All-in-all, I have found that throughout life everything is much better with great friends and family. I wouldn't have been able to move the whole house over by myself this past week if it wouldn't have been for them. Thank you so much for your willing hands to serve Dallen and I! ANYTHING is possible with your help!

!NEW CARPET!

TODAY was the day that we put the carpet in our house! Ed (Dallen's Dad), Curtis and Becky (Christine's brother and sister-in-law/ Dallen's Aunt and Uncle) came with all of the tools and equipment to install everything. Previously, Dallen and I prepared the rooms by cleaning all the floors very well with a broom, shop vac., and pulled out all the staples and nails that were sticking up. It was a lot of work but it made us excited about installing our new carpet! Dallen wanted to be here to help install but had to leave this morning for work so it will be a fun surprise for him when he gets home!

Laying out the padding....

Cutting, Stretching, Stapling, Gluing, and Laying the carpet...

It was quite the job but Becky and Curtis whipped it out like it was nothing

Just watching them lay and stretch the carpet was really exciting! It took the echo right out of the rooms, made the tile and walls blend together well, and made our house feel comfortable and welcoming. The carpet is definitely softer than what we were use to before!
The bedrooms and living room look finished now!

I don't know if I've ever been more excited to use a vacuum before than I was today when the carpet was all laid and finished! It looked so good after we got all the scraps and fibers picked up! Thank you so much Curtis, Becky, and Ed for helping us install our NEW CARPET!

Now there are only a few minor jobs to finish up around the house and we will be able to move our stuff in!!! Dallen and I are getting really anxious to live over here as we have spent many hours preparing it for this point!