MODBE BLOWOUT SALE!

I just wanted to let everyone know that Modbe is having a HUGE blowout sale this week! They are trying to get ready for the NEW Fall line that will be launched on Sept. 6th so everything that's left is being sold at Great Prices! Stuff is going fast.

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Anyhow, Check out my website: www.modbeclothing.com/kristinbishop

I put a link on the top of my BLOG:)

All the swimsuits are on sale for 24.99-34.99 which is the lowest yet this season:)

Shirts are on sale for 4.99 and the cutest skirts for 16.00 bucks!

If you order...at checkout it will ask for a party number.

Enter Party #157 and CALL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS!

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OR e-mail me at Kristinbishop@Hotmail.com

Also-if anyone wants to schedule a party for the Fall stuff e-mail me as well. They are coming out with TONS of new jeans and I'm excited to see what else!

Good Luck Jarom!

Dear Jarom and (dad),

Thanks SO much for spending the past few months locked in the basement knee-deep in papers and books while we played outside and ate Popsicles:) Thanks SO much for reading thousands of court cases and books...and listening to hours upon hours of boring lectures on criminal evidence stuff while we watched movies and played in the sandbox:) Thanks SO much for always doing it with a smile and NEVER complaining even once! Thanks SO much for taking time out to be with us each day even though you have been "permanently nauseated" at the thought of taking the Bar Exam. Thanks SO much for doing it all for us and for being a great husband and Father:) WE LOVE YOU and wish you Luck tomorrow.

*** You're in our prayers ***

***

p.s.

Jarom tested for 8 hours straight today and is going back to Salt Lake City for another 8 hours of testing tomorrow! Then we get the luxury of dragging this SCHOOLING thing out even longer by waiting and (studying some more....aaaghhh!) until August 8th in which Jarom will take the Ethics portion of the Bar Exam. After which, we wait 8 LONG WEEKS to find out if he passed. If he did....we then go through the process of becoming a licensed attorney.

THEN....WAHLAH! We are FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY finished.

Holy Crap that takes a long time...and a whole lot of work.

Thanks again to my wonderful hubby for working so hard

and congrats to him for achieving his goal and dream:)

We love you:)

...LAKE POWELL...

...I never wanted to leave!!!

Until, of course, I remembered that I had been showering in Lake water for the better part of a week AND using a porta-potty:) Even with those two "MINOR" details...Lake Powell is one of my very favorite vacations ever. All those who haven't been to Lake Powell....MUST MUST MUST GO. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth and for those who love water skiing/boating....it's the perfect spot. Jarom and I plan to buy a boat one of these years and make it a tradition for our kids. Every summer....pack up and spend a week on the Lake.

It's the best.

For all my students back in Omaha...I talked about Lake Powell a lot. This picture gives you a small idea of how beautiful it is. The Lake is over 130 miles long....and surrounded by 1000 foot red rock cliffs. Not to mention anywhere from 104-115 degrees day and night:) The water is super WARM and well.....I already want to go back.

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I just uploaded 20 plus pictures...whoops. I tried to narrow them I promise....but taking an adventure like this with a baby presented WAY too many photo opportunities.

My Boys....
Once again...Jaxson was an angel and proved just how easy going and happy he naturally is.
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We were a little worried about a 1 year old surviving the extreme heat without any relief (even at night) for a whole week. I also worried, as any mother would, about dehydration....heat exhaustion....not getting enough fluids....not being able to sleep on the top of a huge houseboat with 30 other people, a small thing called DROWNING...AND that's just to name a few!
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You would have thought we never left home...for as perfectly as he acted. He even cut all four molars during the experience and didn't even shed a tear. He laughed....splashed...played....ate WAY TOO MUCH junk....drank almost 8 capri-suns a day AT LEAST...and got the cutest little farmers tan on earth. I can't wait to take him again:)

Chococolate Chip Cookies....ummmm.....

We spent LOTS of time in the water...since it was the ONLY relief from the Heat! Jaxson loved splashing and playing and has become obsessed with giving high fives. All 9 adults who went with us CATERED to his every want....and spent LOTS of time each day throwing around beach balls and high-fiving with him!

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He is also becoming quite the little swimmer. If I tell him to kick his legs....he will kick them through the water, back and forth, as fast as he can. It is hilarious.
He'll be quite the little fish I'm sure.
I love this little squirt. He makes every day so much more fun.
A LOT harder....but still more fun.
Drinking his 50th capri-sun.
If he even SEE'S one he will scream until he gets his own. Nobody could drink one in front of him after he had reached his limit for the day. I tried to put a limit on how many he could have...but once he tasted one....water wasn't too appealing anymore. He would refuse to drink anything until I gave him one. He would grin from ear to ear when I gave in and took one out of the cooler.
Not only was he an angel....but he never even missed ONE nap. He took a nap every afternoon...whether we were riding around on the bumpy boat or on a noisy housboat with no
air conditioner and 30 other people. He would cuddle up to his dad and take a nap as we toured all the pretty canyons.
Jarom and I got to spend an hour each evening riding the waverunners around and spending some much needed quality time together....

The girls: Ryan's friend Michelle, Kayla, Mom, and Me.

I wasn't kidding when I said that Jaxson ate TONS of junk! He was the only baby/child with all adults and teenagers so he was spoiled and lured in by LOTS of candy. I lost all control about 5 minutes into the trip....and just let him eat whatever. He did perfectly fine!

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He definitely is MY son....I LOVE OREO'S.

....and I eat them the very same way....you MUST ALWAYS Lick the center first!

He had fun driving the houseboat....

He was a good sport about the life jacket...that looked incredibly uncomfortable!

It was so much fun getting to go with EVERYBODY this year. Last year we stayed home because Jaxson was a newborn....and Ryan was unable to go because he was on a Mission. This year we all were home....and it was the best trip in Years.

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Ryan is a nerd...and is always doing funny things. He was tying an anchor to the boat and fell in. We were all sitting up on this huge rock and he started quoting "Zoolander" with Jarom. This is his "MER-MAN" pose. I was laughing so hard. I got several!

Note his FoHawk....which took an entire can of mousse to create.

My brother-in-law Nate is pretty funny too. He is a lot of fun. We always goof off and have some pretty interesting conversations when we're all together!

Kayla and Jaxson. She keeps falling more and more in love with him!

I love that they have a close bond. Jaxson recognizes her and loves to be with her.

The poor kid can sleep through anything! Great for me....but I felt so bad watching him sweat like that! Check out his hair....it was soaked!

Every day I am reminded how big he is getting. He is only 16 months old....and as we were packing lunches for our day of touring the lake I decided to pack him a sandwich too....thinking he would eat the bread or cheese. He never failes to surprise me!!! He took the entire sandwich out of the ziplock and ate the whole thing just like me and his dad.

Didn't stop til it was gone!

What a goofball.

~My Family~

Lake Powell

July 2008

Thanks Mom and Dad for ANOTHER wonderful vacation.

I know it was a huge effort and considering that gas cost $6.50 a gallon on the Lake....I feel really lucky that they took us and spent 5 days straight letting us have a blast together.

Lake Powell RULES:)
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...mOrE SuMmEr FuN....

~OTTERPOPS~

What is summer without Otterpops? Jaxson enjoys one (or two:) a day and I don't mind one little bit...if it means I get one too. Those things are good:) I'm addicted to the blue ones.

Similar to the rest of you...we have been keeping PLENTY BUSY this summer!!! AND by plenty...I mean I want to take a 3 week nap and never pack or unpack a suitcase again. Well...almost. Jaxson is growing so quickly and getting super smart. It amazes me!!! He is my little sponge. THIS VERY MINUTE as I sit here and type...Ryan is in the kitchen teaching him dance moves...and he mimicks them perfectly! A short video clip will be coming shortly..I promise. Jaxson learns 2-3 words a day and can most definitely understand ANYTHING I tell him to do or NOT to do. He sure is at a fun age....and I am so thankful that he is surrounded by 5 adults ALL DAY LONG that love him, spoil him and adore his every move as much as his Dad and I do!

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~SIDEWALK CHALK~
What is summer without sidewalk chalk? Jaxson seems to enjoy it...and I seem to enjoy ANYTHING these days that keeps him busy and keeps him from pointing and screaming at the front door begging to be let out. He has learned the word "outside" and I often wonder what we will be doing during the winter. I better get pretty creative! I am so glad he is at this energetic, run-around stage during the summer.

I love little baby feet and toes. They are so adorable.

My little artist!

...hard at work....

I had this great idea that I would teach him his shapes by drawing them on the sidewalk and having him copy or mimick me. I'll let you know when it works...nothing yet, ha!

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~CHASING ANIMALS~

Too bad I don't ALWAYS carry my camera with me...because this little section could get pretty entertaining.!!! My little boy is fascinated by animals...however, if they move, or walk, or even GLANCE in his general direction he FREAKS OUT COMPLETELY:) It is the funniest thing ever to watch. The following pictures are of him chasing our cat Loo Loo and the neighbors bunny.

The cat was hiding under the car...so Jaxson got comfortable just waiting for him to come out and play. Of course....if he WOULD of come out Jaxson would have scream like a girl:)

~SAND BOX~

oh boy....the sandbox was a GREAT purchase. I knew he would love it the second I saw it...but my husband wasn't so sure. When I was a kid I would play in our sandbox for HOURS upon HOURS and then remember getting a bubble bath in by mom's jet tub every night afterward! They are some of my favorite memories.

I LOVE to watch Jaxson play in it and HATE to clean him afterwards...but as long as he's having fun....that's all that matters. I want him to experience and do as many things as he can and I love watching him attempt something for the first time:)

Sand really does get into EVERY crevice of this kids body!

My little stud!
Please oh please let me have another child as easy going and fun as Jaxson!

He definitely is his father's son.

I hope everyone is having a wonderful and FULL summer.

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I have made a terrible habit of using my blog to apologize to those I NEVER CALL BACK...I am awful. BUT....one last time I am SORRY to all those who have left me messages and I PROMISE to call soon. I have not even turned on the TV in over 2 months or read more than one chapter in my book............

I am too busy eating otterpops and building sand castles:)

"Omaha/Home Sick...."

I just decided that I am officially Omaha sick. This whole moving to Brigham thing has felt like a very LONG vacation....and I'm just realizing IT'S not going to end! I love it here...and wouldn't have it any other way....however, I or (WE) are missing so many things about Omaha these days. Our lives were much slower there and we spent A LOT more time together...just the three of us. Jarom has told me 3-4 times this week that he misses it....and now I'm all emotional about it...of course. Bad move on his part.

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1-We LOVED to run around beautiful Zorinsky lake and hit Sheridan's Custard on the way home to quickly un-do any kind of possible calorie loss!

2-We LOVED going on Sunday walks around Conagra and letting Jaxson feed the ducks.

3-We LOVED our apartment...ONTARIO WE MISS YOU! (I know that seems wierd to miss...but it is all Jarom and I talk about. We loved it there...and it really felt like "HOME" to us)

4-We LOVED having a beautiful Gym and Outdoor pool two steps away.

5-We LOVED our friends...and some of my fondest memories are Thanksgiving Dinners, Easter Barbeque's, 4th of July Fireworks...all with our second family!

6-I LOVED having Jaxson there...wierd huh? His BIRTHDAY was such a peaceful experience with just the two of us. I remember having ONE visitor in the hospital...my friend Britt (who happened to help Jarom change the first poo...the icky black one, ha!). We spent 3-4 days just hanging out together and getting to know him. It felt like we were a world away from any distractions and it was the best experience ever!

7-We miss having EVERY possible restaurant or activity within minutes of us. Saturday we were in Layton and happend to drive by Famous Dave's and we both almost freaked!!! I think we forgot it even existed...and it was once part of our weekly routine. EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT....we'd hit Dave's for some good barbeque! WE loved it.

8-I WILL FOREVER MISS JAROM'S SCHEDULE! It consisted of class from 9-10 a.m., after which he would come home and get back in bed (next to me....no, I do not wake up earlier than 10...I love to sleep). Then we'd get up and eat breakfast around 11:00....take Jaxson for a jog or to the park....then he'd study in the afternoon. It was a much better routine than the one I am currently on...which is NEVER SEE MY HUSBAND...EVER!

9-I will hate life if I don't go shopping the day after Thanksgiving at 4:00 a.m. with Britt. That's all I have to say. She is the ONLY person alive who gets as serious about it as me (or even more so).

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(by the way Brittany...I blame this whole post on you...talking to you caused this!)

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I hate that moving had to be so bittersweet. Moving to Utah meant being closer to family but it also meant leaving some of my very best and closest friends, a perfect job and the luxury of being a "student" behind. It was WONDERFUL to not quite be part of the "real world" where Jarom had a real job.

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I wish Jarom would go to school forever!!! There...I said it. I WAS WRONG last year when I begged to be finished and wished the time away. My dad was right. The day he dropped me off and I was clinging to his shirt bawling and begging him to NOT leave me in such an awful place...he looked at me and said, "I bet you 1000 bucks you have this same reaction the day I come and get you and you have to leave!" I thought he was wrong...but he was SO right. He even payed up...and spent at LEAST 1000 bucks filling our U-haul with gas:) ha ha!

Life is ironic that way...because last year at this time I was praying every night it would go quickly:) ha ha.

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So this if for all those in school....enjoy! I just looked at all my Omaha friend's blogs and I promise there will be a day when you miss it there and feel like that was your real home!

*** Fourth of July ***

I LOVE HOLIDAYS!

I always get super excited for every holiday. Jarom endures it well. I think holidays make life so much more fun and he learned that early on in our relationship:) I can't decide if it's the day off of work so I get to see my husband, the great food, or all the traditions that we have...but holidays rock!

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Jarom thinks I'm crazy....but I love to give gifts on holidays...and it doesn't really matter which holiday either!!! He tried once to convince me that people don't need 4th of July presents...but he failed. Even if it's just a treat...it made my childhood so much fun...and I intend on doing the same for little Jax. My mom is a tough act to follow...but I want to make holidays as memorable as she did. I decided to get Jaxson a cute little sandbox and picnic table!!!

HE'S OBSESSED WITH IT!

He loves to play in it for a few minutes each morning. I didn't stop to think how messy sand can be or how it can enter every little knook and cranny of his body:)

He will have to invite some friends over this week for a picnic.
It is so cute..I love it.
MY ALL TIME FAVORITE HOLIDAY happens to be The Fourth of July! I have no clue why...but it always has been. We had a great weekend and I'm sad to be back home. We started it off by heading to my sisters in Provo on Thursday.

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BELOW: Jaxson was so much fun this weekend and is such a trooper. We GO GO GO nonstop and he seems to tag along with little complaint. He is such and angel and will sleep ANYWHERE which makes life much easier when you keep as busy as we do. The morning of the 4th Jaxson got a few gifts...all red, white and blue of course.

We then met my family, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends for a day of boating at Utah Lake. Jaxsons first time on a boat was a success! I gave in and didn't make him wear his life jacket....but made everyone on the boat swear to put his life before their own if necessary...hee hee.

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When the boat would go really fast....he would hold his hat on so it wouldn't blow off.

I LOVE THIS KID:)

Jarom and I got some much needed "together" time while so many willing babysitters were around. I have become quite a baby when it comes to doing anything scary for some reason. I hated how choppy it was....Jarom about tipped me over and got the biggest guilt trip of his life...ha ha! Since Jaxson I have become so boring!!! I used to LOVE being thrown 10 feet in the air after my dad launched the tube off of a wave:)

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Maybe I'll try to be brave at Lake Powell. We leave on MONDAY! yay:)

(For my friends in Omaha...THAT is what a mountain looks like!)

*** KISS ***

He gets super into it and puckers up HUGE. He squints his little eyes and can really lay one on ya! It's the best:)

~ MY FAMILY~

Utah Lake

July 4, 2008

My sister and I have always been close...but have become best friends since she was married in October. I love to talk to her and be with her. We have a lot of fun together and I LOVE how protective and loving she is to Jaxson. We had a great weekend staying at her house...and were sad to leave!

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Chelsea...the tattoos from your birthday party came in handy! Me and Kayla decided to apply them during our little boating trip.

To all my friends in Omaha (Suzanne, Jill) who thought I'd NEVER get a tattoo....WAHLAH!
It's a cupcake....super dangerous:)

His new found obsessions with capri-suns! He drank at least 10. The worst part is I let him!

We then headed back to my aunt Lisa's house for a big barbeque and fireworks. We ate the best food ever....and Jaxson loved running around and acting like one of the big kids!
~His new little 4th outfit~

The three of us watching the fireworks!
It takes quite a bit to get ME sunburned....but Jarom...oh my. He looks like a cherry in all of these pictures. His face got fried!

I LOVE holidays when Jarom gets to spend 4 days straight with us!
I hope he feels the same:) ha ha.

Me and Jax at the barbeque!

My baby doing his first sparkler. It was funny because he INSISTED on holding it by the burning, extremely HOT end. Boys I guess! He is such a stinker.

We then spent the night at Kayla's again and enjoyed the 5th at SEVEN PEAKS!

Jaxson LOVED the kiddie pool and all the slides. He is pro at going under water know...after my dad didn't realize to catch him in time:) He LOVES water...which is good because we are always SWIMMING. Below he is enjoying his 50th piece of licorice.

Jarom will kill me for putting this on here....but this is a perfect example of what I LOVED to do before I had Jaxson...and ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to do now. Holy crap...even looking at it freaks me out.

It was great weekend and I'm not ready for it to end. We just got home and are hoping the next week goes by fast...so we can head to our favorite vacation ever...LAKE POWELL.
Only 7 days away...HALLELUJAH:)

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HAPPY 4th OF JULY EVERYONE!