My thoughts on Christmas Shopping...

I CHOOSE to go Christmas shopping today. I went last week, and discovered the joy of shopping early. I actually found some good gifts and never got stressed out. I have never been able to shop early because I have always had finals looming over my stressed out mind. This year...I plan to do stress free shopping. Here are some thoughts that have passed through my mind so far...

1. Those center shopping kiosks in the mall. There are some annoying sales people at those kiosks. From cell phones to curling irons to lotions from the "deep sea". Those salesmen are ALL ANNOYING. I decided to turn it into a game. I always feel rude saying "no" to them and walking away. So I have come up with some sly tactics of avoiding them. It is actually kind of fun, it kind of reminds me of being a kid and playing hid and seek or tag...Ha ha annoying salesmen catch me if you can:)

2. I am avoiding Tai Pan trading today. I spent enough money there on Saturday, but am very happy with the stuff I was able to find good deals on. I found a nativity set that I am quite pleased with for $15, and our house looks extra festive for the Holidays. Have I told you I LOVE that store.

3. I choose to go shopping today (Monday) in hopes that most people are at work, and the stores will be less crowded. Less crowds=Less stress

4. I hope to find a person I can help today, tomorrow or sometime this Christmas Season. Tis the season for being extra generous, and making it a PRIORITY to help someone in need. That is something I'm glad my parents taught me.

5. I found extra cute stockings at Tai Pan Trading. I am excited to shop for stocking stuffers this year. Last year we didn't have time to make or find stockings that I actually liked a lot. These ones are definitely stockings we could have for years and years.

6. Finally, I hope to find something extra special and extra loving for my Jarred. Isn't it fun finding the perfect gift for your husband or that special someone in your life. I found the perfect gift for my brother the other day, and now I can't wait to give it to him. I hope to find special gifts for all the special people on my shopping list:)

Thanksgiving 2009

For Thanksgiving we flew down to Phoenix to visit Jarred's Grandma and Grandpa. It was fun to have almost the entire Cameron family down in Phoenix. It was also weird to have 75-80 degree weather on Thanksgiving. Since it was so warm we were able to go swimming in Jarred's grandma's backyard.

For my birthday I got this case that fits over my camera and turns it into a water proof camera. I was really excited to try it out for the 1st time. Phoenix was the perfect opportunity since it was so warm to swim. Thanks to the nieces and nephews who were willing to turn swimming time into picture time. Here are the results. Just so you know I may retire early from nursing to become a underwater photographer...Ha Ha Ha. I really can't wait to take my camera on a dive. Meet my underwater models...

Alyssa (above)

Cameron

Ashley

Ashley and Alyssa

Ashley and I. Alyssa wanted a turn at using the camera.

Alyssa modeling the underwater back flip.

Jayden

Takira and Alessia

Me

Finally a view of the pool...

Jarred's Birthday, Flying and Dentist

Jarred's birthday was well over a month ago, but it was so eventful I had to post about his birthday. I sent Jarred on a scavenger hunt for his present. I had little cards that stated reasons why I loved him. The reasons why I loved him were clues to get to the next "reason why I loved him clue." For example, "I love going sleeping with you in the motor home" the next clue was in the motor home. Then the motor home clue said, "I love our nightly summer dinner picnics" that clue was out on our picnic table. Anyway, you get the point...It was really fun. I thought he would get kind of annoyed, but he actually really liked the scavenger hunt. Plus his gift was so amazing, that I was not going to just give it to him. I had to make him work for his gift!! Well eventually he found his gift under the bed!!!
Jarred's expression after he found the gift. He said he had no idea what is was at this point, but I'm sure he knew...

After he peaked and found out what he was getting...this is his "ohhhh" getting all excited face!

Jarred was like a little boy at Christmas time. He immediately went a put it together. He couldn't fly it until the next day because it was already dark. He was so excited to fly it I am sure he thought about missing school the next morning so he could start flying it bright and early the next morning. He had been wanting this remote control airplane for a long time. It was sure hard to keep this a secret from him, and to keep him away from the hobby shop so he wouldn't buy it for himself before his birthday.

I took pictures of him flying outside our house. The one I actually bought him is too fast to fly on our street so he has to take it to a nearby empty field to fly it. Since it is to fast to fly on our street Jarred had to go buy him a slower plane too, so that he can fly whenever he wants. This picture is of him actually flying the slower plane.

Right after I took the picture Jarred got his plane stuck in a huge tree about 40 feet in the air...

We had to pull the motor home underneath the tree, and use a long stick to try and knock it out of the tree.

Well Jarred still couldn't reach his plane so he had to add a ladder to the top of the motor home. I was kind of nervous that he was going to hurt himself.

Oh...Luckily he got it out right before dark!!

WARNING...The next picture is not very pretty, and kind of gross. I debated on if I should post it or not, but here is the story. Everyone knows I knocked out my front tooth on the Provo River on a freak accident. Well I got my tooth replaced in August and then it ended up going bad, so I had to get a new tooth. Two weeks ago I had to go to the dentist, get my temporary tooth removed, drive (with no tooth) to the place where they made my tooth, have them match the tooth to my other teeth and then drive back to the dentist (with no tooth) to get the new permanent one placed in my mouth. So for awhile I had no front tooth...of course I had to take a picture. It was kind of freaky looking and I was really hoping that nothing was going to happen on the way, so I wouldn't have to see anyone or freak anyone out with my lack of a front tooth...Well here is the picture of my missing tooth...





So at the top of my gums I have a tiny amount of my original tooth left. The part that is thin and hanging down further are the titanium rods that they placed up into the root of my tooth to hold in the new tooth. Yeah kind of gross and I had to go out in public like this, YIKES!!! I will have to post a after picture to show you that my dentist really did a GREAT job!! I love my new tooth and hope it stays for a LONG time because even though I have an amazing dentist...I am sick of going to the dentist.

Scotland (Last Post...Promise:)

SCOTLAND

I don't know why I feel like I have to apologize for so many posts on our trip, but I'm sorry if you are sick of them. I am not sick of them and when I get around to it, I will be making a book of our blog and I want all of these memories to be included in the book. So enough with the apologies and onto my last post of our Ireland/Scotland trip:)

Scotland was my favorite...I think I already said that, but here is Jarred and I with the palace in the background in Edinburgh. I could seriously spend another week just in Edinburgh to see everything there is to see.

Its not ever day you see this contraption. A motorcycle with a side buggy. Who ever was riding in the side buggy must have been very cosy, because it was filled with blankets and looked quite comfy.

These old fashioned looking cars are all over the place and are definitely not old fashioned in Scotland. Even the taxi's are this cool looking like this fine vehicle. I love how everything looks (and is) historic! I love this place...

A couple views of Edinburgh...

The fall colors were amazing and were in full bloom.

This is one of the parks that runs below Edinburgh castle. This park looked like a pleasant place to have a picnic with a handsome fellow:) aka Jarred.

Did I mention we didn't spend enough time in Scotland? Well we didn't...

A view of the street leading to Edinburgh Castle. Totally old fashioned and very historic.

This man is dressed up as William Wallace who in Scotland is considered a National hero. He was raising money for some charity outside of Edinburgh castle. A few Euros for a good cause= a fun picture:)

This is Edinburgh Castle as we were walking up to it. It was quite the amazing place, and it has a lot of the original castle still intact. The next few photos are from the inside of this castle.

Approaching the entrance. Notice the shield above the entrance. The Cameron name is extremely Scottish. In fact every store we went into had stuff to buy from the Scottish Cameron Clan. Anyways, the reason I mention the shield is because Jarred put the Cameron shield in a top window at his parents house when he built it that is just like the one in this picture. Kind of cool:)

The Edinburgh Castle is on the highest hill in the city Edinburgh. This is the view from the top of the castle. Edinburgh is a big city, but not so big that it is overwhelming. I seriously can't wait to go back to Scotland.

Standing in what use to be where the guards use to stand...

A first I read this sign as saying "Closed for us to carry out essential conservation" I thought wow, what is essential conversation? Then I thought we should put this sign at the entrance to some nurses station... This nurses station is closed for us to carry our essential conversation. It seemed appropriate for a nurses station:)

Again an old looking very cool vehicle. This old vehicle was driving through the castle and was carrying a Bride in the back seat. Yes there was a wedding at the castle the day we were there. How Romantic and cool to see a real life wedding at a real life castle.

Enough said...

We got a picture with this Scottish gentleman while he was guarding the entrance to the church while the wedding was in session.

The picture of the church.

The tall pointy building is the palace in the background. Our tour guide said the government spent millions and years to try and clean the black off this building, with little success. He was kind of annoyed that they would spend so much on a "meaningless" project. He was really funny about the whole situation. The black is from the medieval times when people would burn coal and wood.

Just taking a look at what I would destroy if I shot off this cannon.

I wasn't suppose to take this picture, but I had to. This is a memorial for all of the Cameron's that have lost their life defending the Scottish in war. Those books have hundreds and hundreds of names of real people that have lost their lives. There are names, birth and death dates, and some of them state how the person lost their lives. Very cool and very interesting for possibly tracing genealogy. I could have looked through these books for hours, and I wish I could have taken these books home to look up the genealogy. We really didn't spend enough time in Scotland it was incredibly cool.

A picture of the bride and groom after they came out of the ceremony. I have to admit I love the kilt...I can totally picture Jarred wearing a kilt to our wedding if I had let him wear whatever he wanted.

Another picture of the castle as we were leaving not only the castle, but leaving Scotland, to fly back to Ireland so we could fly back to the USA. I seriously can't wait to go back to Scotland. The only good thing about leaving Scotland was that we extremely lucky and got upgraded to first class from plane ride from Ireland to New York. Sweet deal, the food in first class was a lot better than coach. I got a steak for the main flight meal, a gourmet salad for the end of flight snack and who can forget a ice cream sundae. The best part was a seat that fully reclined with a personal t.v. to watch whatever movie I wanted to. I must say we were well taken care of in 1st class.

One last pic of our trip. This little pigeon somehow found himself inside the JFK airport. We thought it was funny to see him wondering down the hallways of the airport. I wonder where he was trying to travel today. Ha Ha ha...Well that was it for our trip. Hopefully soon we have some posts about our life after our trip, because we have had some fun adventures that I can't wait to post about.

SCOTLAND

SCOTLAND

I really didn't want to leave Ireland. I really had no desire to go to Scotland at this time. I wanted to see more of Ireland. Once we got to Scotland I was so glad we went. Scotland was so AMAZING!!! I can't wait to go back to Scotland to see more. Yes, we will go back to Scotland, and hopefully soon!
Here are the highlights of our short time in Scotland...

This is statement is incredibly "Scottish"...

1st thing we did was to get on a tour of the country side of Edinburgh. Sorry can't remember the name of this castle. Usually I take a picture of a sign with the name of the place we are visiting, but I didn't on this tour. Maybe Jelissa or Josh will remember...

View from the castle. It was incredibly beautiful.

A Scottish flower:) I know totally different from U.S. flowers. I like this picture...

This is a good picture to describe the amazing fall colors that were blooming while we were there. This picture makes me want to go back so bad.

I like the greenish moss that was growing on the stone of the castle.

Jarred walking in the main hall of the castle. Church services are held here and this is where the King and Queen;s thrown would be.

Josh conquered this castle...

Another amazing castle we got to see.

This castle was surrounded by an amazing lake and nestled into a mountainous hillside. Once again I love the fall colors.

This is another castle where my "princess" fantasies could come true...This area was so breathtaking. Who is ready to go back to Scotland with me? Lets leave tomorrow...

A random Owl. They had an owl exhibit. I've never seen one up close before.

This lake we went to was so beautiful. It was quiet...and just so delicate. I loved just sitting and enjoying the view with my handsome husband.


Please enjoy the views on the next couple of pictures. They are quite lovely...


I loved walking down this road. The trees, the smells, the crisp fall air...couldn't ask for a better day.

Back to Edinburgh (the capital of Scotland)...Just taking a quick stop to talk on the tele. I LOVE this place.

Some quick sneak peaks of Edinburgh...This is probably my favorite "big city" I have ever been to. I could spend days just exploring this amazing city.

Why is it my favorite? Well...1st ITS CLEAN!!! 2nd Its got lots and lots of character. It is unlike any other city I have been to. The food is good, the people are nice. I love the accents and this city has so much to do.

Had to get a picture of the double decker buses. We rode on a lot of these buses. In fact I don't remember any city buses that were not double decker buses. Well, we only have one more post of Scotland which means only one more post of our amazing trip. Its hard to believe we were there one month ago.

Goodbye Ireland

Ireland
Part 4

Our last day in Ireland...We drove to find this mansion/castle which was hidden in this hillside.

This mansion (can't remember name at this moment) was amazing. We didn't get to spend too much time because it was further than we thought and we had to catch our flight to Scotland.
This mansion was built in the early 1800's by a man who built it for his finance/wife....

She died young and the mansion was abandoned. It was later inhabited by some Nuns and is currently a school/abby. I'll go back to school if I can take classes in an amazing place like this. All I could think as we were walking up to this place is the scene in Pride and Prejudice when Elizabeth saw Mr. Darci's house for the first time. It kind of took your breath away.

There are so many fantasies I have that could come true at this place. Like my fantasy to have my "Prince Jarred" come riding up on a white horse and taking me to the ball. Or like my fantasy to wonder around in princess attire in the hallways of this home. Also my fantasy to take french lessons in the gardens of this place. Just a couple of random girl fantasies. Or to have afternoon tea and cookies on a balcony the overlooks the lake. I could see them all taking place here...Ahh I am just day dreaming now:)


What would a castle be without a white swan swimming around...Well, it just wouldn't be a real castle!

This place is seriously a dream come true or possibly heaven on earth. The pictures don't even come close to describing how beautiful this place is.

Isn't this place AMAZING!!

One last photo:) I'll post the name of this later.

I thought this man definately deserved a little money!! Anyone who drags a piano out to the street definitely deserves and A++.

"R" is for Rachelle or "really" board while we waited for our dinner. Can't complain though because my dinner was amazingly good tonight...I think everyone else didn't have the same opinion about this restaurant that I did...

Kisses for Jarred from Rachelle...again while we wait for dinner....are we still waiting for dinner?

Driving through the countryside to the airport...REALLY FAST...on the LEFT side of the road. We barely made our flight!! Ireland can't get any better. I was honestly really sad to leave Ireland. I could have easily spent another week here.

IRELAND again...

IRELAND
(Part 3)

Are you sick of Ireland? Well, even if you are DON'T MISS THIS POST!! Some of our most amazing pictures and views of Ireland scenery are in this post...

After our interesting night at a really sketchy/gross hotel...We visited King John's Castle in Limerick, Ireland. This castle was built for King John of England. The most original walls of King John's Castle were built in 1200a.d. Its crazy how old some of these places are.



All the girls on the front wall of King Johns Castle.

The view from the castle. That is a "football" stadium or in American terms a "soccer" stadium. Football/soccer is HUGE in Ireland. During games all the pubs and restaurants that had T.V.s were packed and hard to get tables to eat. At Hard Rock Cafe they turned off all the music and music videos to put on the local Ireland football/soccer game.

Sometimes Jarred just can't stay out of trouble, even in Ireland and this time he took Jelissa to jail with him. Ha Ha Ha...Just kidding. We had to take this picture when we saw the prison in the castle.

Cool old stairway in the castle.

From the courtyard of the castle.

Cliffs of Moher...This is one of the most amazing places I have EVER been. The views were AMAZING and breathtaking. Enjoy some of these pictures of the cliffs. I might have to get some of these blown up and framed. I LOVE these next few pictures.


The Castle that is at the Cliffs of Moher.

I couldn't get enough of how AMAZING this place was. If you ever go to Ireland make the Cliffs of Moher a mandatory stop.


This picture truly represents how GREEN it is in Ireland. Green hills everywhere and it really is a fabulous view.

This wall has an interesting story. One of the local men made a bet with his neighbor that he could build a wall that was 4-5 feet tall and only a few inches thick. Well Ireland is filled with tons and tons of slate. This is the wall he made, to win the bet. It goes for miles and miles keeps some of the local cows from falling off the Cliffs of Moher.

I like this pic...What an amazing place for a romantic kiss. I'm glad Jarred and I have got to do so many amazing things together. But in all honesty I could go anywhere with Jarred. No matter where we go 10 minutes away or 10,000 miles away we LoVe going with each other.

Another green pic. Ireland is incredibly green...

One of the coolest things about Ireland is we would be driving down some random road and would come upon a castle or an incredibly old building. Some were landmarks and others were just there growing weeds. They all looked really cool. I almost wish I could go back in time to see what each of these buildings use to be or meet the families that use to live in them. I forget the name of this Castle, but it had some amazing views and was on some really amazing landscape. This is one of the castles that we randomly ran into on our way to another destination.

This is the waterway that surrounded the castle, kind of like a moto that use to go around this castle.

Looking through one of the holes of the wall of the castle.

Another pic of the waterway around the castle.

Family photo in front of the castle.

Can't go to Ireland without at least trying to look for a 4 leaf clover. This was a close as we could get. Brynn found it, and some may debate on if it is truly a 4 leaf clover...I think it is:)