Chapstick

I think a great scheme that is going on in the world today lies within the hands of chapstick and lipgloss makers. This scheme is great... but evil... Somewhere in that waxy, or liquidy, delicious-smelling (and at times, delicious-tasting) goo, there lies a secret ingredient that penetrates the entire being of the stick itself, whether it be a stick of chap or a stick of gloss. I believe that secret ingredient soaks through the very being of the stick, and after a short, VERY SHORT, period of time, causes the stick to suddenly, warninglessly, disappear… never to be found again. Then, the naive chapstick or lipgloss buyer goes, “Like oh my gah, where is my lip stuff? Well, I guess I’ll go buy more.” And there the scheme that those chapstick and lipgloss-makers have derived, that evil scheme, becomes perpetually perfect! The ditzy, dim-witted owner of the disappearing lip stuff goes to buy yet another equally vanishable stick of gloss or chapstick… eventually to be lost among the others, disappearing in the vast universe. Just a few weeks ago, for instance, I was at Crackerbarrel. I bought a stick of Burt’s Bees chapstick, the colored kind. It was so cute. I used it every day... for about 4 weeks… and then one day, I could not find it. It’s gone!!! I loved that chapstick. So, I will probably end up buying a new one, just so I can lose that one as well. But don’t be fooled. Just because I “lose” it, doesn’t mean it’s my fault. It’s the chapstick maker’s fault… and their secret disappearing ingredient’s fault. Well you know what I say to them and their ingredient? I HATE IT!!!!

Cozmo

Our Sleepy Puppy!

Baby Cozmo!

Cozmo loves to sleep after a lot of playing. He finds the floor cozy, and sometimes sleeps over on his little bed next to our bed.

Thanksgiving 5K!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thanksgiving 5k! We did the Habitrot this morning at 8 a.m. We finished in 26 mins. 40 seconds! We ran 8:36 min. mile averages. I was 8th place in my age group out of 43 and Blake was 9th place in his age group out of 23. We went with mom, dad, Terry, and the Hissongs. It was a blast. After running the race, the guys went to Centennial High School and played a huge Thanksgiving football tournament with a bunch of people from church. After all this activity, the guys were really tired! Then, we ate 2 huge meals, one at Grandpa and Grandma Watson's house and another one at the Hissong's house. It was a great Thanksgiving.

IRONMAN FLORIDA 2006 - Dani and Daddy

IRONMAN FLORIDA 2006

This is us at the Ironman banquet with our dear friends. Blake, me, dad, John Byrd, The Gawrys's, and the Stucki's. It was really fun to be there with them.

We finished the Ironman!

RACE RESULTS

-----------SWIM-------BIKE-----RUN------OVERALL

Danielle---1:16:26---7:57:32---6:32:05---16:04:33

David------1:25:22---7:46:58---6:31:30---16:04:34

I had to wear a wet suit for the swim. In this picture, we were about to head down to the beach for the swim. When we got to the beach I realized it was seconds before we had to dive in. I began to panic, but dad timed it perfectly so that we just dove in right on time. It was awesome!

The race was huge, there were about 2,500 people in it. In this picture of the bikes, our bikes were in the furthest row toward the top of the row. It was a pretty day, a little on the chilly side in the morning, perfect weather for a race!

The biking part was the most challenging for me. I beat dad out of the water on the swim, changed, and headed straight for my bike. I have never seen flatter roads! As I headed out on the bike course, I was trying to take it easy so dad could catch up to me. To my surprise, I was averaging a higher speed that I ever had on our normal workouts. Then, I turned at about mile 25 onto this one 25 mile stretch. It was straight into the terrible wind, slightly uphill. I came out of the water in the first 1/3 of all the athletes, but biking is my weak spot and the last 2/3 of the athletes almost all passed me on the bike eventually. It was very discouraging. However, dad finally caught me at mile 27, and the day got better. We turned the corner at mile 50, got out of the wind, and got to see Blake, mom, and Terry for a few minutes. From there everything seemed better. Dad and I got to ride together and the road was flat. However, at about mile 80 I began bartering my bike out to people, swearing to myself that I would never ride again. :) My bum hurt really bad after the bike!I was very surprised after I changed from my biking clothes to my running clothes that I felt like I could run! I was so excited. When I came out of the changing tent, mom, Blake, and Terry were all there and mom said "GO DANIELLE GO!!!" So, I took off! Dad came out a few minutes later and realized I had left him, so he ran the first mile really fast. Then, for the next 25.2 miles, we ran/walked the rest of the Ironman. And, I think it's important to note that I talked the rest of the way as well. I talked Dad's ear off... an Ironman challenge he had never faced before! :)

When we crossed the finish line, I felt completely and utterly relieved... and weak... and really gross. So, we gave each other a hug, took a few pictures, ate pizza, sat in the hot tub with mom, Blake, and Terry... then I went to bed a new person. An Ironman.

HALLOWEEN 2006

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2006!

Cozmo was really psyched about dressing up for Halloween... Actually, he hated the idea at first. We ordered his costume a size too small and tried it on him. He squirmed and rolled and shook himself trying to get it off. So, Mom helped me do some adjustments, adding new elastic with much more room for Cozmo to feel comfortable. Blake and I have let him wear it a few times since then so he gets the feel of it. Tonight is the Ward Trunk-or-Treat, so Cozmo will get to parade around as a HOT DOGGY!

UTAH...

There are so many people Blake and I miss from Utah. We especially miss our family, along with our many friends out there. We miss you all. Love, Blake and Dani

Here are Blake and I with our downstairs neighbors, Justin and Kitara. Almost every day when Blake and I would get home, we'd knock on their door and spend some time with them. On our last night living above J&K, Blake and I had "one last romp." Since we disturbed them so many times in the 16 months we lived above them, we had to finish off with one last night of stomping and jumping. It was a moment never to be forgotten... but J&K never complained about our noise. They were awesome downstair neighbors. We really miss living so close to very close friends.

Here is a great picture of Devonee, Heather, Nitti, me, and Nada. Dev, Heath, Nitti, and I lived together the year before Blake and I got married. We had the perfect apartment, with 2 early-birds (Dev and Heath) and 2 late-risers (Me and Nitti). We balanced each other very well. Then, who doesn't love Nada. She and Darren lived a block from Blake and I. We watched hockey together.
Our 3 oldest boy nephews. Love them. Miss them. Kaden, Preston, and Bryson, all with their own type of "glasses" on in the back of our Jeep. What studs. I believe I have the cutest neices and nephews in the world. Hands down. No competition.
Here I am in front of Y Mountain. I really miss BYU. I'll always cherish the time I had there. It's so beatufiul with the mountains towering over the campus.
Blake's favorite dog, next to Cozmo, is DAPHANIE. She's such a sweetheart, and she LOVES Blake!
Here are our downstairs-and-to-the-right neighbors, Britt Gillesp Cro, and Tia-Tia. Then, behind us is Thomas and in front is Preston. We loved living in that little one bedroom apartment! Brittany got me addicted to Gilmore Girls.
Momma and Papa Haines on my graduation day. It was so awesome to have them there.
Two more of our favorite neighbors, John and Annie Erickson. Annie and I visit taught together. They are so awesome. One night we played this game that involves an enormous mat, along with action figures that look like gargoyles and other scary creatures. It rocked.

Also, Thomas has spent the night many times with me and Blake. One night, he and Blake went rollerblading. Thomas had a little fall and came back green in the face. We brought him to the Emergency room that night and he had sure enough broken his arm. He's a trooper.

Ah, two more awesome neighbors. Edda and Rex lived one story up from us, about 6 apartments down. We spent several nights playing game box, going camping, and watching "24" with these two. Good times.

Our Wedding Open House (May 21, 2005)

FIRST BLOG EVER

Hellooooo everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope all is well with you. A little about what's going on with me and Blake right now...
I just graduated from BYU with a Bachelor's Degree in August. That was exciting but I'm eager to move forward with my education and right now I am trying to figure out what I want to do next.
Blake and I moved to Brentwood, Tennessee right after my graduation. He is going to Belmont University and loving every minute of it. I am working as the office manager at Superior Construction, my dad's business - we build big, beautiful houses. Blake and I got a pug puppy when we moved out here. His name is Cozmo and he's hilarious. He's about 4 months old now and loves chewing, napping, eating, and playing games. His biggest fears include mops and coolers.
Blake and I teach the 15 to 16 year-old Sunday school class at church. We really love our class. It's awesome to have a calling together. We are also working really hard on helping with missionary work. It's so refreshing to have so many opportunities to teach the Gospel. So far we have helped the Sisters with referrals, invited neighbors to Family Home Evening, and we have given Investigators and Converts rides where they need to go. Tonight we are going to help the Elders teach a discussion. So fun!!!
Well, that's about all for now. Hope you all enjoy our little website. Have a happy day!