Sunday, June 28, 2015

Aquarium

On Tuesday Mom took us down to the Living Planet Aquarium and IKEA. Mom, McKenna, Chelsea, Cody, Carson and I headed down South mid morning. Carson and I sat in the very back together and he was so excited to go to the aquarium. We got to Salt Lake around noon so we stopped for some lunch. Then we went over to the aquarium. We got there just before they fed the sharks, so we got to sit on the floor and watch. It was cool to see them all active and close to the glass. We explored the aquarium and Carson had a great time playing on the plastic orca whales. Kaily, Zoe and Apsen joined us for a bit and we did some more exploring and then shared an Icee. Carson so badly wanted to see the otters so we went to that exhibit and sat there for a while. The kids got to see the baby penguin peek out for a minute too! At the souvineer shop, Carson picked out a rescue kit and a stuffed otter. On the way home, he decided to name him Teeter Totter Otter. Such a cute kid! 
After the aquarium we went to IKEA for dinner and to pick up some stuff. The boys were so good to just tag along with us. They also traveled very well. We got back into the valley around 8:30 PM and Carson was so excited to show off his Teeter Totter Otter.


Insight into Me

Please don't feel obligated to read this post. I just think they are fun and interesting to look back on and see what changes and what stays the same.
Colors: dusty blue, deep purple & gray



Food: Italian! Especially pizza!
Scent: Peach and Almond Extract
Dessert: Cream Pies
Restaurant: Red Robin
Season: Autumn
Scenery I like to escape to: green forests with lakes and waterfalls
Things I love to do: watch movies, listen to music, play with Cody & Carson, sew, blog, and digital scrapbook, chat & spend time with friends
Movies I absolutely love: The Lord of the Rings, What to Expect When You Are Expecting and Avengers
TV Shows that are favorite: What I Like About You, CHUCK, White Collar, Numb3rs
I love my sugar and Dr. Pepper, totally a bad habit, but delicious!
Places I would love to visit: Australia, New Zealand, San Diego, Prince Edward Island, London England
Jobs I have: secretary at Ipaco, bookkeeping at Embroidery Central, janitorial at Ipaco, paint apartments, CutesieBee and babysit Carson & Cody
Favorite Music: I LOVE Two Steps From Hell. I love movie score music, which is kind of what they are. This music fills my soul. I also love The Canadian Tenors version of Hallelujah
Favorite Animals: Elephants, Penguins, Otters & Sea Turtles
Favorite Disney Princess: Rapunzel
Favorite Disney Sidekicks: Pascal & Olaf
Top Disney Movies: Tangled, Frozen, Sleeping Beauty, Robin Hood and Lilo & Stitch
My type of humor is pretty sarcastic, so I totally find things like this funny
For games & other activities, I like Play Nine, Monopoly, Sudoku and word searches

Other just for fun insight:


ISFJ PERSONALITY (“THE DEFENDER”)

The ISFJ personality type is quite unique, as many of their qualities defy the definition of their individual traits. Though possessing the Feeling (F) trait, ISFJs have excellent analytical abilities; though Introverted (I), they have well-developed people skills and robust social relationships; and though they are a Judging (J) type, ISFJs are often receptive to change and new ideas. As with so many things, people with the ISFJ personality type are more than the sum of their parts, and it is the way they use these strengths that defines who they are.

ISFJs are true altruists, meeting kindness with kindness-in-excess and engaging the work and people they believe in with enthusiasm and generosity..

ISFJ personalities (especially Turbulent ones) are often meticulous to the point of perfectionism, and though they procrastinate, they can always be relied on to get the job done on time. ISFJs take their responsibilities personally, consistently going above and beyond, doing everything they can to exceed expectations and delight others, at work and at home.

We Must Be Seen to Be Believed

The challenge for ISFJs is ensuring that what they do is noticed. They have a tendency to underplay their accomplishments, and while their kindness is often respected, more cynical and selfish people are likely to take advantage of ISFJs' dedication and humbleness by pushing work onto them and then taking the credit. ISFJs need to know when to say no and stand up for themselves if they are to maintain their confidence and enthusiasm.

ISFJs utilize excellent memories not to retain data and trivia, but to remember people, and details about their lives. When it comes to gift-giving, ISFJs have no equal, using their imagination and natural sensitivity to express their generosity in ways that touch the hearts of their recipients. While this is certainly true of their coworkers, whom people with the ISFJ personality type often consider their personal friends, it is in family that their expressions of affection fully bloom.

If I Can Protect You, I Will

ISFJ personalities are a wonderful group, rarely sitting idle while a worthy cause remains unfinished. ISFJs' ability to connect with others on an intimate level is unrivaled among Introverts, and the joy they experience in using those connections to maintain a supportive, happy family is a gift for everyone involved.

ISFJ Strengths

Supportive – ISFJs are the universal helpers, sharing their knowledge, experience, time and energy with anyone who needs it, and all the more so with friends and family. People with this personality type strive for win-win situations, choosing empathy over judgment whenever possible.
Reliable and Patient – Rather than offering sporadic, excited rushes that leave things half finished, ISFJs are meticulous and careful, taking a steady approach and bending with the needs of the situation just enough to accomplish their end goals. ISFJs not only ensure that things are done to the highest standard, but often go well beyond what is required.
Imaginative and Observant – ISFJs are very imaginative, and use this quality as an accessory to empathy, observing others' emotional states and seeing things from their perspective. With their feet firmly planted on the ground, it is a very practical imagination, though they do find things quite fascinating and inspiring.
Enthusiastic – When the goal is right, ISFJs take all this support, reliability and imagination and apply it to something they believe will make a difference in people's lives – whether fighting poverty with a global initiative or simply making a customer's day.
Loyal and Hard-Working – Given a little time, this enthusiasm grows into loyalty – ISFJ personalities often form an emotional attachment to the ideas and organizations they've dedicated themselves to. Anything short of meeting their obligations with good, hard work fails their own expectations.
Good Practical Skills – The best part is, ISFJs have the practical sense to actually do something with all this altruism. If mundane, routine tasks are what need to be done, ISFJs can see the beauty and harmony that they create, because they know that it helps them to care for their friends, family, and anyone else who needs it.

ISFJ Weaknesses

Humble and Shy – The meek shall inherit the earth, but it's a long road if they receive no recognition at all. This is possibly ISFJs' biggest challenge, as they are so concerned with others' feelings that they refuse to make their thoughts known, or to take any duly earned credit for their contributions. ISFJs' standards for themselves are also so high that, knowing they could have done some minor aspect of a task better, they often downplay their successes entirely.
Take Things Too Personally – ISFJs have trouble separating personal and impersonal situations – any situation is still an interaction between two people, after all – and any negativity from conflict or criticism can carry over from their professional to their personal lives, and back again.
Repress Their Feelings – People with the ISFJ personality type are private and very sensitive, internalizing their feelings a great deal. Much in the way that ISFJs protect others' feelings, they must protect their own, and this lack of healthy emotional expression can lead to a lot of stress and frustration.
Overload Themselves – Their strong senses of duty and perfectionism combine with this aversion to emotional conflict to create a situation where it is far too easy for ISFJs to overload themselves – or to be overloaded by others – as they struggle silently to meet everyone's expectations, especially their own.
Reluctant to Change – These challenges can be particularly hard to address since ISFJ personalities value traditions and history highly in their decisions. A situation sometimes needs to reach a breaking point before ISFJs are persuaded by circumstance, or the strong personality of a loved one, to alter course.
Too Altruistic – This is all compounded and reinforced by ISFJs' otherwise wonderful quality of altruism. Being such warm, good-natured people, ISFJs are willing to let things slide, to believe that things will get better soon, to not burden others by accepting their offers of help, while their troubles mount unassisted.

ISFJ RELATIONSHIPS

When it comes to romantic relationships, ISFJs' kindness grows into a joy that is only found in taking care of their family and home, in being there for emotional and practical support whenever it's needed. Home is where the heart is for people with the ISFJ personality type, and in no other area of their lives do they strive with such dedication to create the harmony and beauty they wish to see in the world.


ISFJs' shyness and sensitivity shield what are, beneath the surface, incredibly strong feelings. While not always obvious to others, this river of emotion can't be taken lightly or for granted.

ISFJs are trustworthy, loyal, loving and faithful and nothing brings them more joy than the commitment of an appreciative and thriving relationship. The best matches are those who share these sensibilities, namely those who share the Observant (S) trait, with one or two opposing traits to ensure that both partners have room to grow, develop and help each other along, 'til the end of their days.

ISFJs need a lot of positive feedback, and admitting this need certainly shows vulnerability, but if that vulnerability is well handled, it creates the deep bonds that ISFJ personalities look for.

Yet, as their friendships develop, ISFJs' sense of loyalty may push them to lean ever more on themselves to meet their friends' needs, to the point of neglecting their own. ISFJs show this in a few ways, from going clearly out of their ways to stick to even trivial commitments, to simply not wanting to disagree or say no for fear of causing turbulence.

ISFJs' warmth and care make parenting something that often comes naturally to them. Many people with this personality type feel like parenting is the task they were born for, taking no small pleasure in the sense of personal importance and responsibility they feel in ensuring that their children grow up to be healthy, confident and successful. At the same time, ISFJs are anything but arrogant, and will hardly take their natural skill in this department for granted.

In many ways, ISFJs are the backbone of the modern workforce. Altruistic and well-rounded, no other personality type is so well-suited to be of service of others. It is no surprise that many ISFJs are not just good at supporting their coworkers and customers in human resources and support positions, they genuinely enjoy it, as it gives them the chance to calm frustrations, see things through to a practical solution, and to be thanked, appreciated, at the close of each ordeal.

Be Humble and Earnest

ISFJs are skilled at remembering things about others which makes them not only valuable assistants, but well-liked colleagues. People with the ISFJ personality type can always be counted on to remember a birthday, a graduation, or simply a frequent customers' name, and that can make all the difference. Add to these amiable qualities ISFJs' meticulousness, hard work and dedication, and it's no surprise that their careers often progress smoothly, with few of the ups and downs that accompany more high-flying types.

However, ISFJs are unlikely to actively seek out managerial positions, and are still more unlikely to brag about their accomplishments. ISFJ personalities prefer to be rewarded by seeing first-hand the positive impact of their efforts, and will remain enthusiastic simply knowing that what they do is genuinely appreciated by the people they care for. This makes them natural counselors, technical support, and interior designers, where they are able to help others one-on-one without having to worry about corporate politics.

Whether they seek promotion or not it happens often enough, as ISFJs' ability to implement ideas and “create order from chaos” is bound to make an impression.

ISFJ IN THE WORKPLACE

Whether subordinate, colleague or manager, ISFJs share the goal of putting good service and dedication above all else. Whether helping customers directly, helping coworkers get projects finished on time or helping teams keep organized and productive, people with the ISFJ personality type can always be relied on for their kindness and ability to listen to concerns, and to find ways to resolve them. Win-win situations are ISFJs' bread and butter, and no one takes quite the same pleasure in finding satisfying resolutions to day-to-day challenges.

ISFJ Subordinates

As subordinates, ISFJs exemplify the strength of humble dedication. Relied on and respected for their patience and commitment, ISFJ personalities really only seek one reward for their work: the satisfaction of knowing that whoever they helped feels heartfelt thanks. On the other hand, this humbleness can hold them back – ISFJs are quite unwilling to advertise their achievements, often for fear of creating unnecessary friction, which makes it too easy for them to be overlooked when opportunities come along.

ISFJs are people of incredible loyalty, often trying to follow favored managers to new positions and locations. Though perfectly capable of accepting change, ISFJs must feel that it's for the right reasons.

Few personality types are as practical and dedicated as ISFJs. Known for their reliability and altruism, ISFJs are good at creating and maintaining a secure and stable environment for themselves and their loved ones. ISFJs' dedication is invaluable in many areas, including their own personal growth.

Yet ISFJs can be easily tripped up in areas where their kindness and practical approach are more of a liability than an asset. Whether it is finding (or keeping) a partner, learning to relax or improvise, reaching dazzling heights on the career ladder, or managing their workload, ISFJs need to put in a conscious effort to develop their weaker traits and additional skills.

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Canada Trip Part #3

Friday morning we got up early and went back to Many Glaciers Inn for breakfast since we liked it so much the day before. It was very windy there that morning so the lake was choppy and not so reflective as it had been the day before. The Going to the Sun Road opened for the season on Friday morning and so we headed that way. It was so pretty! The only wildlife along there that we saw were some Glacier marmots. We saw some beautiful scenery, pretty rivers and falls. We did the Cedar Trail walk through the woods to Avalanche Falls, these were stunning. Dad really wanted us to hike up above the falls and look down on them. Dad said this was his very favorite place and I can see why. Just as we got back to the car from that walk, it began raining. We poked around and saw a lot more of the park before going to Lake MacDonald. We had dinner there and my parents ran into someone they knew from Woodbadge while we were there. We sat by the lake for a while and then headed to West Glacier. For the first time in days, we had cell service for a couple of blocks. Our phones were going crazy!





We stopped at a gift shop and then played another great Monopoly game. That time the three of us even joined forces against McKenna and she still creamed us! Monopoly is her game. On Saturday morning we enjoyed some really good Huckleberry french toast before heading out of town. We decided that if we could all stand it, we would try to get home Saturday night, rather than finding somewhere to stay and booking it home Sunday for church. We grabbed a late lunch in Dillon, MT and pushed for home. Chelsea and the boys really missed us, so they came to our house and had dinner ready for us when we got home around 8 PM. Carson was so excited to see us and to see the treasures that we had brought home for him and Cody. When I told Carson that I thought Cody had grown up while we were gone, he assured me that he hadn't because he still didn't have teeth. We all had dinner together and I got some play time in with Carson. I sure missed those boys too!
It was a wonderful trip that I was so blessed to be able to go on and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to see such beautiful places and enjoy safety while we were at it.

Monday, June 22, 2015

Canada Trip Part #2

On Wednesday morning we got up early and headed out of Banff National Park. It was rainy, which only made things more beautiful. We got about a half hour away from Lake Louise when McKenna discovered that she had left her pillow at our last hotel, so we turned around to get it. On the way back we saw a SUV that had managed to get two of it's tires up over the concrete barrier on the side of the road. Then as we left Lake Louise once again, we saw a grizzly bear on the side of the road. We snapped a couple of pictures as we drove by and headed back to Banff. We picked up a couple of things there and left the park. We went to Pincher Creek to grab something to eat and then headed to Waterton. We went to the Prince of Wales Inn, which is so pretty and Dad and I stood out and looked over the lake as the wind was blowing. 





Then we went to Cameron Falls and took pictures and met some chipmunks we affectionately named Theodore and Alvin. They also looked and behaved like their famous counterparts. They would go right up to you begging for food. Chase fed Theodore peanuts for a little while. Then Alvin worked through his stash and came up to see if he could get more. They were so noisy and fun to watch as they mooched for anything they could get.




After we left Waterton, we headed back to the United States. We were all a bit sad to be leaving Canada so quickly. It was beautiful! We headed into Glacier National Park and made our way to Swift Current. Just before we got to our hotel, Mom saw a huge male moose in the woods just off the road, which she was so excited about. We checked in and had dinner around 8:00 PM. McKenna and I got our own room there, which was nice. We are both pretty light sleepers and were also excited to not be sharing a bed while there. 

On Thursday morning we went to the Many Glaciers Inn and had a really good breakfast. We also saw a bighorn sheep and went for a hike to Josephine Lake. It was warmer on Thursday, which wore me out faster, but that area is so pretty and most of our hike was through the woods so there was shade. {The sign says like 26 miles, but we didn't go all the way around} When we got back to the Inn from our hike, we discovered that we had walked right past a female moose who was eating just feet away from the trail. We went back to our hotel in Swift Current and took naps before heading out for an early dinner in Babb. We stopped in at the St. Mary's Visitors' Center for a bit before going back to Swift Current for the night. We played another couple of Monopoly games before going to bed and had a great time.


Sunday, June 21, 2015

Canada Trip Part 1

So we were blessed with the opportunity to go to Canada and Glacier National Park this past week. We left last Saturday evening, the 13th, and headed North. We rented a suburban, packed our stuff into it and started the drive. We stopped in McCammon for pizza at the truck stop and continued our journey. We got to Butte, MT about 11 PM and checked into our hotel. Our vacation started a bit rough as when McKenna got into bed, it broke. It was still okay to sleep in, so we did. Then on Sunday morning, McKenna managed to elbow Chase in the nose and gave him a bloody nose. We got ready and went to Sacrament Meeting in a ward in Butte. Then we headed back to the hotel, packed up and hit the road. We stopped at a lodge in East Glacier and then we went to Two Medicine. We walked a trail to see Running Eagle falls. Then we headed North to leave the U.S. It was the first time that McKenna and I had ever left the country! We got through the border checkpoint quickly and uneventfully and headed to Cardston where we would stay for the night. After we got checked into our room, we found the Cardston Temple. We spent a while there talking with a very nice couple at the visitors' center and Dad took pictures of the Temple. We also did and had to get a picture of the Canadian flag too.





Dad went and took more pictures while we had a huge Monopoly game in which McKenna creamed us. We went to bed late and got up early to head to Banff. I slept a lot in the car that day, but I was awake and taking in the area as we drove through Calgary. We went to Banff National Park and we headed to Banff where we had lunch and did some shopping. Then we headed to Lake Louise where we checked into our next hotel. Monday night we went to the lake and spent some time there and took pictures. We also took pictures of the beautiful chateau there and had dinner. Then we drove up and hiked to Lake Moraine. We spent a bit of time there and even though it was actually late, it didn't feel like it because the sun didn't set until about 10 PM. Lake Moraine is beautiful and the color is amazing!




Early Tuesday morning, McKenna and Dad went back to Lake Moraine so that McKenna could see it when it was cobalt blue, which is her favorite color. Then we all went to breakfast and made our way through the park checking everything out. We also went to Jasper National Park to hike up to and see Payto Lake, yet another beautiful lake in the that area! Everywhere we went there were warnings of grizzly bears and we didn't see one. Not that we would want to see one up close and personal, but we had heard that it would be common to see them even from the road. The weather was amazing. It was such a nice temperature and wasn't stormy, like we had expected it to be. We saw glaciers, beautiful lakes, saturated green forests and lots of natural beauty that was so peaceful!

Thursday, June 11, 2015

I am so lucky

I am so lucky to have one of the best jobs in the world! I am an aunt to two beautiful boys! {and "adopted" 3 nephews and 2 nieces}
I also get to share this job with Kenna and Chase who are awesome!

Alyssa came over for the whole day this week to help me with the boys. She played with Carson and then fed Cody and held him. Carson certainly wore her out, as it looks like she did too because I looked over and they were both laying on the floor.