Wishing you and yours...

...a very

What an adventurous year! We hope you enjoy browsing through this blog...we've tried to succinctly highlight what life has dished out to us for 2009. There have been several experiences that have pushed and stretched beyond anything we felt capable of handling. After much sadness, frustration, disappointment, grief, peace, hope, love, faith, and utter joy we feel confident in sending this year on its merry little way and boldly roll our shoulders back from 2010. Bring it on!

How grateful we are to have each other, our family, our friends, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to whom we praise and celebrate during this most wondrous time of year.

With love,
Eric & Alisyn

JANUARY 2009

CELEBRATING OUR NEW BROTHER

We headed to Salt Lake Dec. 27 to celebrate The New Guy's 27th birthday! We ice-skated at The Gallivan Center and then enjoyed hot chocolate, treats, and chocolate torte at The Avenues Apartment. Good times! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, New Guy!!! You rock and we love you!

ROCKIN' THE NEW YEAR

The Rockband Party was T-O-T-A-L-L-Y A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!! So sorry to those of you who couldn't make it! We missed you! As always, costumes were required and everyone had to come with a sweet rocker name and band. The results were hilarious! We smashed a guitar and popped some bubbly (Martinelli's Sparkling Cider) at midnight. It was crazy wicked fun and jammin'!

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!

UTTER JOY

Isn't it amazing and an absolute blessing to know that we can experience such utter

JOY

HAPPINESS

PURPOSE

EXCITEMENT

despite these hard and trying times!? That our loving Father in Heaven sends an outpouring of His Spirit, motivation, determination, and ability to endure when the challenges seem almost too great for us to face? When something as simple as TIME with or a TOUCH from a loved one is powerful enough to flood your entire being with hope and continued resolve. That through the tumult we can be still and know that He is God. What true Majesty and Power.

What an incredible time to be ALIVE.

Well, it's official! Jerky is gone and enjoying a new master. We were very blessed in having him sell so quickly! What a blessing! So thanks to those of you who contributed prayers in our behalf. We love you!

E took a half day yesterday and brought my new sexy beast home. He replaced the brake pads and shoes and helped me scour the entire thing, top to bottom. It was filthy. I used Lysol wipes on every surface imaginable...can't be too careful. :) We drove it around and met some friends for dinner. Everything seemed to be working great, but then we noticed an odd sound... E's pretty sure a wheel bearing has gone bad...whether it just needs to be lubed or replaced entirely will be determined today (he took the rig to work to look at it). But for the most part, we're up, we're running, we're in business! And oh, how I love my Jeep!!!







Suggestions for nicknames are now being accepted. I need something good. Perhaps it will be like Jerky...it will just "come" one day whilst on a road trip or something. :) Either way, it's time to let the good times roll!!!

E's B-DAY BASH

We celebrated E's BIG 28 with a little family (26 or so...???) (and yes, S/S/Z, you're family now!) party yesterday. Good times, tasty food, and the infamous ICE-CREAM CAKE...not to mention 28 sparkler candles that almost lit the house on fire = one totally rockin' shindig!

Who needs a match when you have a creme brulee torch!?

FIRE!!!

Oh, sweet icy cold, mint heaven.

The jolly goods

FEBRUARY 2009

IRON CHEF COMPETITION

Saturday, February 14 - The beloved {heart} day. We hosted a wickedly fun and insanely intense IRON CHEF Competition. The secret ingredient: HONEY. Congrats to S/S/Z who won the title of Valentine's Day IRON CHEFS with their honey glazed breaded shrimp!!!








QUITE THE BLOW

E was let go as Parts Manager for the Orem Ken Garff Porche, Audi, Volkswagen store. Lots of emotions right now. Hard times ahead. What will those times bring? Glad we didn't buy a house after all.

MARCH 2009

BEST DAY EVER...well, almost!

Yesterday was slightly insane. I was very stressed. And just when it all seemed to come crashing down around me, what to my wondering eyes should appear but two little girls in awesome green gear. MY THIN MINT GIRL SCOUT COOKIES ARRIVED. Just what I needed. An answer to prayer. A simple and most delicious joy.

I ate three delightful cookies and smiled. Everything was okay. It had become one of the best days ever. So here's to impeccable timing and cute little girls who sucker people into buying their deliciously over-priced minty morsels of heaven.

ELDER ROBINSON

Here's to two great years of full-time service and dedication to the Lord. We sure are proud of our incredible (and extremely good looking) nephew, Trey!!! :)

APRIL 2009

ZASES GARDEN 2009

Maple Syrupville grows two things extremely well: 1) Fresh Produce 2) ROCKS! (It was my job to clear the top foot of soil of those rapidly producing miniature pieces of mountain.)

Project Garden: Kohlrabi, Tomatoes, Beans, Lettuce, Cayenne Peppers, Jalapeno Peppers, Cauliflower, Peas, Cantaloupe, Pumpkins, Yellow Peppers, Green Peppers, Cucumbers, Zucchini, and Corn.
+ the added bonus of an "Herb Box": Green Onions, Sage, Basil, Rosemary, Parsley, Marjoram, Chives, and Cilantro.


Partners in Crime...or Patch Partners: Scotty, Spicy, and Baby Z, making this the ZASES GARDEN!


WE'RE NUTS AND WE KNOW IT!!! :)




HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TO ME!

Heavenly Father and I have a healthy appreciation for humor. For example, this is what He gave me for my 25th birthday present on APRIL 15, 2009.


Great, is it not!?

APRIL 21st, 2006-2009

The three greatest years of my life have been married to this man...

He is everything I want and need.

MAY 2009

[friz-bee gawlf]

Frisbee golf is a favorite pass time around here. Not only is it incredibly easy and fun, but it's great exercise too. Our good friend FennFenn got us hooked three summers ago...and we're still going strong. E is extremely good, his longest throw to date is about 200 yards.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Frisbee golf, here are some basics:

1) In Frisbee golf, you use Frisbee golf "discs," not Frisbees. Believe me, there's a huge difference! There are lots of different discs to choose from...varying styles, weights, purposes, etc. There is also a "putter" disc that is to be used when close to the wicket.


2) The Wicket (or Basket or Hole) is where you aim to throw your disc. Landing in the wicket = completion of that particular hole or round.


3) Each hole has par. E is notorious for getting par or one throw under par. (Yeah, he's good!)

4) There are specific paths you are to follow when throwing your disc (mostly around trees, etc.) in order to remain "qualified" for a round. This is often easier said than done.

5) The Tee (or launching pad or pad or cement thingy) is where you stand for the first throw of each round. There is a red foul zone on the tip of each tee. (E is practicing his putt, but you can see the tee at his feet.)


6) Pretty much anything goes by way of how you choose to throw your disc. The more creative your throw, the better (or at least MORE ENTERTAINING)!


We keep our discs in The Jeep, always ready, always prepared. So, if ever you're in town and want to play a round of our beloved Frisbee Golf, all you need do is ask! :)

SHOUT OUT

I LOVE spring!

It truly is my most favorite time of the year.
So many happy things happen in the spring
Which makes me happy.
I like to be HAPPY!

TODAY

Today was a very sacred and wonderful day for me.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is true.
The Temple truly is the House of the Lord.
And I feel honored to associate with the noble and great ones.

AN HONOR & DELIGHT MAY 16TH

One of my dearest friends was sealed in the temple today. I was near her and saw just how much love and devotion she and her husband have for each other. It was a very sacred and wonderful day.



CULINARY CRAFTS

...has a new Executives' Assistant! (Yes, that would be me.) I am looking forward to working with these people because they acknowledge my skill and ability to plan immaculate events and they encourage growth and opportunity within their company. They actually want me to succeed and work my way up "the ladder" (imagine that!). I will start Monday, May 18, with a shift of 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Mon-Fri.

If you would like to learn more about where I shall be working, check out the Culinary Crafts website: http://www.culinarycrafts.com/home.php

Yes, AMAZING FOOD!!!

E will continue working from home...building his rock crawler and establishing a shop.

A HUGE thank you goes out to all of you...THANK YOU for your thoughts, encouragement, faith, and prayers!!! We couldn't make it through this without you! (Oh, and you are welcome to continue to pray for us, if you want!) :)


NOTHING LIKE IT - CAMPING

Shootin', chillaxin', eatin' (yes, that's Dutch-oven pizza), gettin' rained on, laughin', and havin' a grand ol' time. This is how we R & R.