Question

Why do drinks that SAY they are KIWI flavored actually taste like GREEN APPLE? Did someone at the snoshack get the two mixed up? Did the manufacturer figure they were both green so no one would notice/care? The answer to this question is beyond me...

Polls and Probems

As some of you may have noticed, we recently added a few polls to our blog--you know, trying something new and fun. However, it appears that our cute little polls didn't allow anyone to vote, thus not serving the purpose for which they were created (correct me if I'm wrong here). Sad day. Well, in case you have been waiting in suspense for what the answers to our polls were, here they are:
Travis' new calling: Ward Clerk
Jenny's newfound addiction: Snocones (aka "snowies." I've joined the club, Rachel! =) j/k. They're just so juicy and refreshing! And so close to our apartment. ;)

Better luck next time with the polls, eh?

P.S. Happy last day of June everyone!

11 months! We're getting close!

Today, Travis and I celebrated our 11 month anniversary. We celebrated by having a scrumptious dinner at Gringo's Mexican Restaurant, frozen yogurt at Millhollow's, and then snuggling down to watch a movie. =) I am so happy to be married to my best friend (and to such a hunk!). I am grateful for Travis, for his: example, love, kindness, gentle nature, generosity, patience, support, obedience, knowledge, and SO much more. I truly love him more and more everyday, and am so excited to spend eternity with him. Here's to us, love. I love you!

The Kids in My Life

I recently took pictures of my nursury kids to post in our primary room, and thought I'd show them off on our blog as well!
So, here's...drum roll please...

Emily: A calm, sensitive little gal, who's the newest kid on our block.


Payden: Has the prettiest blue eyes, loves tossing things, and is the best sharer in primary.


Jade: Loves her snuggle bear and has an endless amount of energy (shown here with the vacuum which is one of the kids' favorite toys).


Quade: a puzzle doin' and bubble blowin' machine, who has the cutest darn laugh in the world, and is sometimes known as "puppy."



It is such a blessing to get to be with these 4 precious kids every Sunday, to teach them, love them, and spend two hours learning and playing with them. Thanks for everything you bring to our primary guys!

An Afternoon with Mootie

Last Saturday, Travis and I had the opportunity to visit my Grandma Lorraine (aka "Mootie"), in Oakley, ID. Before the Great Exodus (my parents and Mootie selling the house and moving south), I had lived with Mootie, Grandpa Cliff (now deceased), and my immediate family in our home in Issaquah ever since I was a baby. Thus, Mootie has been a kind of second mother to me--she taught me how to read, embedded in me a love for the gospel, and has nurtured and loved me throughout my life. I am very grateful for the example of love, devotion, knowledge, faith, and righteousness that she has and always will be for me, and will always be particularly grateful for the special way that she has always loved me.

Before last weekend, I hadn't seen Mootie since last Thanksgiving, and since her health is failing (a heart condition) I wanted to take the chance to see her that I have been meaning to for so long. We had such a nice visit. We listened and talked about her life, family history, and special memories that Moote and I have shared together. I appreciated that Travis got to know her better and spend some time with her too. It was soo good to be with her, and to feel of her special spirit.

I love you Mootie, and I always will.

Have a Happy Day!

Have a happy, sun-shiny day, from the Holloways!

Great Harvest

This post is also late but hopefully you're learning that that's the way we party with our blog sometimes. I (Travis) started working at Great Harvest in April as a bread baker. Yes, those are the people who go to work at 4:00 in the morning...but I really like my job. I enjoy being done with work before lunch. The early morning hours are tough some days but I nap after work and when school starts in September I'll only be working 2 days a week. Part of the reason I took the job is because I knew it was a job I could keep while going to school that wouldn't interfere much with classes. I get a free loaf every time I work and get to eat stuff while I'm there too. It's my kind of job.

That's the polite explanation I'm supposed to give but the real reason for this post is to show off my beautiful bread. I took these pics a while ago on a day I brought home a fresh loaf of nine grain whole wheat bread.

MmmMmm Good.

I know the pictures don't do it justice but just imagine biting into a steaming slice of buttered bread fresh from the oven. I want to go eat some right now.

Our Sweet New Ride

This post is very late in coming, but what can you do?

So, the story of our car:

We had been looking to buy a car since before we got married, really, but our search intensified this past March as our cars hit important milestones (280,000 and and 225,000 miles) and as we were planning on expanding our little family. Trav had been keeping a look in the school and other ads for the type of car that we wanted, knowing that the end of the semester would be a great time to buy. Then one day in April, we went to take a look at a '96 Toyota Camry that was near our price range, and at the end of a short test drive said "We want it." So, about a week later, we sealed the deal!
We love our new car! It's reliable, comfortable, clean, roomy, good lookin' (with newer rims and a sun roof), and has considerably fewer miles than our former cars--the perfect starter car for our little family, and for a couple planning to move cross country next year for med school.
We couldn't be happier with it. =)
Here it is!

Come visit us and see it in person!

Red Robin!

While we were in Washington, we just HAD to visit one of my old favorite restaurants, and Red Robin was just down the street from where we were staying, so Red Robin it was! In my opinion, Red Robin is the greatest burger and fries joint on the planet, so I was pysched!
It was only Trav's second time there, but he was pretty pysched about it too!

Ooh the excitement...my tastebuds were in sweet anticipation for the juicy burger and tender steak fries that were comin' my way...

Getting in some snuggle time while we wait for our food to arrive.

=)

And tada! The worlds greatest burger--the Banzai (sesame seed bun, marinated beef patty, juicy pineapple, added bacon, and cheddar cheese). Yum!!!

Trav eating one of their scrumptious steak fries. I seriously had a "religious experience" (as Uncle Brian says) as I took my first bite of a seasoned steak fry, dipped in creamy ranch sauce. Mouth...watering...

I'm a happy girl! (The expression here is "MmmMmm good!")

And to top it off--a bottomless freckled lemonade.

Good food. Good times. Can't wait til Red Robin comes to Idaho!

A Washington Wedding!

This past Friday, Travis and I traveled up to Washington for my cousin Tammy's, and her fiancee Steve's, wedding. It was a long drive, but a wonderful trip. =) We decided to drive the Montana route, and enjoyed all of the beautiful mountain and "big sky" scenery along the way. To break up the trip, we stopped in Spokane to visit Travis' uncle's family--Brian and Cindie--who were kind enough to feed us and entertain us for awhile (thanks guys! It was so good to see you!). Then we finished the long haul to Federal Way, Washington, where we spent the night at my cousin's, Joe and Debra's, house (Thank you, thank you! It was wonderful to be with you guys again!). We crashed there for the night, and the next day prepared for and went to the wedding! (Then Sunday, we headed back home to the Burg.)

The wedding was held at one of my old ward member's houses, the Lawrences. We took our picture on their back porch, overlooking Lake Sammamish. It was so good to see the sights of Seattle again! I miss it's beauty.


All of the girls went over early to help Tammy get ready. Here she is, having her mom Carol help her to put on her dress (which completely suits her, by the way). One last look in the mirror as an engaged woman!

Let the ceremonies begin! Tammy walking with her father Dan down the isle.

During the ceremony. My cousins (Tammy's sisters) Audrey Heikkila and Elysia Hargrave were her bridesmaids, along with an old High School friend, Darcy Town.

My former bishop, Tammy, and Steve--here saying their "I do's."

"Hooray! We did it!!"

The happy couple--Steve and Tammy Smith!

After the formal ceremony, Tammy sang a song to Steve ("All I ask of you" from Phantom of the Opera), and then Tammy's dad sang them both a song ( "I loved her first"). Everyone was touched by his performance, especially Tammy, who hugged him after he was done.

Yummy! The cake cutting! (I helped set up the cake and table, by the way=)

The beautiful bride, gazing down on all of the single gals after she tossed her bouquet.

Several of my other family members who still live in Washington were also able to come. Here are (left to right) my cousin Debbie and her son Rock, cousin Richard and his wife McKenna, and Debbie's husband Rick. It was so nice to see them all again, and catch up!

This is my cousin Joe, and his wife Debra, who were so kind as to let us stay at their house while we were there. Thanks for your hospitality, and for the good talks and good times guys!

Congratulations Tammy and Steve! We love you and are so glad we got to be there with you on your special day! Best wishes and hope to see you guys again soon!

Voice Male Concert

Last Saturday we drove to Blackfoot to go to a Voice Male concert with Mom and Dad (thanks again for inviting us). The group came to Blackfoot to perform at a youth conference and then did a concert for the community in the evening. For those who aren't familiar with them, they are an a capella group who got started when they were going to school at Utah State several years ago. They aren't quite college-age anymore but can still sing very well together and know how to please a crowd. It was a very entertaining performance, not just because of their music, but also because of their fun personalities. Jenny got some good pictures and videos of the show.


Here we are before the show started. There weren't a ton of people there so we snagged second row seats! Nice, eh?


This is the guy who did the "percussion" for the group (with his voice, of course). He also served a mission in Japan, so he has to be a pretty cool guy.


One of the first songs they did was "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and these guys were strumming their air guitars. The one on the right was one of the main comedians of the group. He served a mission in England and sang the lead part of their song "Loch Lomond" with a nice scottish accent. Pretty cool.


This is at the end of their barbershop-style song. The guy kneeling on the right saw Jenny taking the pic and made sure they stayed posed until she had taken it. ;)


And this is a video of the Chipmunks Christmas song they did. It was one of the audience's favorites (and you'll see why).
Overall, they sounded great and put on a great show. I don't think they do concerts terribly often but if you ever get a chance to see them I recommend you don't pass it up. As mom says, "You won't regret it."

Happy Birthday Grandpa Roger!

This is just a little birthday shout out to my Grandpa Roger, living in San Diego, CA, who just had his birthday yesterday. (He is the grandpa in our Arizona trip posts, if you'll remember.) We hope you had a wonderful birthday, and that you are feeling better! We wish we could have been with you on your special day! We love you!!!

We're back...for a little while

As some of you may have heard, we recently experienced some major computer issues. But after a trip to the computer doctor, a new anti-virus software, and $120 later, we are now up and running again! Can I just say "Yeah for a working computer!" So, we're back online now... at least until this weekend, when we'll be going up to Washington for my cousin Tammy's wedding. We're excited for the trip (though not for the gas prices), and will be leaving Friday after Travis gets off of work. We're going to drive all day, and then spend the night at my cousin Joe and Debra's house. On Saturday, we'll go to the wedding and reception and spend some time visiting with family, and then Sunday morning, we'll head back to Idaho! It's going to be a short, but sweet, trip. When we visited my parents last Christmas, I thought it might be a long while, or maybe never, until I would return to my hometown. So, its great to be going back so soon, and to be seeing my family from up there again. We might have to hit up one of my old favorite restaurants while we're there too--Red Robin, Cascade Garden, or XXX Rootbeer Diner--hmmm...so many choices! I feel like Rachel and Brandon on their return trip to Idaho! So anyway, we'll miss your blogs this weekend, but will try to catch up on everybody when we get back, and let you know about our trip too! Hope you all are having a great week!