For those of you who don't know, we've moved! We have now made our home in Fargo, North Dakota. This is the shortest distance move we have done yet. A whopping 80 miles! We will be here for 9 months while Phil works on 2 of his clinical rotations before returning to Grand Forks where Phil will finish his last roatation in Crookston, just 20 miles out of G.F. The moving process was long and tiresome, but I think we have about gotten back to normal life. This was our fourth move in the past three years. With the exception of this last move, my dad has helped us with each move we have had. We decided he must be our good luck charm because all the other moves haven't been nearly as difficult as this one. A few good stories:
A couple hours after we move into our new place, we turn on the water, and there is a smell. A stinky, rotten egg, sulfury smell. It was HORRIBLE!!! We ran the water for ten minutes hoping it would go away. But instead of the water smelling better, the house stunk worse. Phil smelled even worse than the water and had to shower. His silver ring came out brown. We were worried. I was so scared of the water that I heated up water from a water bottle to wash my face. The next morning, maintenance came over and ran the water for a half hour and informed us that the water in West Fargo isn't very good, but it is sanitary and drinkable. Needless to say, we bought a Brita Water Filter to use for Coleman's sippies and Teegan's bottles. I will still be drinking bottled water. So it does smell better, but I can still smell the sulfur occassionally.
After the water fiasco, we headed back up to Grand Forks to clean and check out of our previous place of residence. This, however, didn't run very smoothly, either. We start cleaning and realized it was going to take us a lot longer than what we had planned. We changed our check out time to later in the day, and took a break for lunch with friends. When we returned to the apartment, they have painters in there already going to town on the walls. I flipped! (Phil would say that was an understatement!) First I yelled at the painters who didn't understand a word I said because one was Ukranian or something (we nicknamed him Borat) and the other was so high, it wasn't even funny (actually it was, but that's for another day). After my tantrum there, I stormed to the office and let them have it, too. I feel bad now, looking back at the situation. It turned out to just be a miscommunication in the office, but it got us out of a lot of cleaning!
And now, for our third and final (hopefully) trial of the move was trying to get our interent. We started searching and searching for a good company and ended up having to go with the one company we didn't want to. On Friday, we call and sign up, and they tell us our internet should already be working. It's not. We talk to all sorts of tech people and no one can help. On Monday I am tired of trying to use our neighbors wireless signal and call to get help for our own. Again, no one can help and they set up for a tech to come out on Tuesday. Later that afternoon, they call to tell me the tech won't be able to come until Wednesday. Once again, my temper got the better of me, and the poor girl on the other line got an ear full. However, I got my way, and the tech came this morning. He had to call the office while he was here, and I overheard the other person ask him if I had "ripped his head off". He was nice enough to reply "no, it really isn't that bad". I guess I am now famous at Multiband! :)

Sorry for the forver long post, I guess I needed to vent! Here are a few pics of our comings and goings.

Coleman got all wrapped up in the tape while we were packing. He is a silly kid!


Our babysitter:

Just kidding! Heather & Justin, and McKenzie were nice enough to take on that role. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your help! Coleman just LOVES to hold Teegan.

So we moved into a great ward and have already made some friends. Last night, we went to the lake with the Webers and the Seamons. It was so much fun! Phil will kill me for putting this picture on, but I thought it was too funny!

Coleman playing in the sand. I could not get him to look at me, so this is what you get. Sorry.

We kept Teegan out of the sun by keeping him in his carseat. So cute!

All of us eating S'mores! From L to R: Ashlee, Nick, Brodie, Austin, Phil, Coleman, Justice, & Liberty

Simple Pleasures

So this blog is a bit random, but I know if I don't blog this morning, it won't happen for another week. We are in the middle of packing right now. I can't believe we are already leaving Grand Forks. It will be sad to leave good friends. Luckily we will only be an hour away, and when you need a break from the quiet hum of Grand Forks, please come visit us in the thriving metropolis of Fargo! :)

Well, the past week has brought us a few simple things that Phil and I have enjoyed:
On Saturday night, we had the most spectacular sunset. Phil decided to be artistic and get the fountain in front of our complex in the picture too. I think it turned out pretty cool!


One of Phil's friends found our blog, and when we were checking out their blog, they talked about these rice crispy treats. We thought we would give them a whirl, and wow, were they delicious!

Here is the recipe:
Extreme Toasted Marshmallow Candy Bar Rice Crispy Treats
2 batches Rice Crispy Treats (I don't really need to post that recipe, do I?)
1 Cup Chocolate Chips
3 Cups Mini Marshmallows
10 Mini Twix, chopped
10 Mini Snickers, chopped
Make Rice Crispy Treats and press into pan (it will be filled close to the top). Preheat broiler on oven. Sprinkle chocolate chips and marshmallows on top. Place on middle rack in oven and broil until marshmallows are golden. Make sure to watch because this happens very fast. Add on candy bars. Let cool for 30 minutes to an hour before serving. So good!

Okay so this picture is funny, I know. The other day, we saw this truck parked outside, and Phil insisted on taking a picture. I feel like the truck should add "Welcome to North Dakota" along the side. In Phil's words, "How much more redneck can you get?" Oh, and yes, those are antlers on the front! :)


This picture is mostly for my mom and sisters. Do any of you recognize this doll house? A few hints: Rocky Mountain Christmas Shop, Park City, about ten-fifteen years ago. Okay that is the doll house that I used to just stand there and drool over. I loved it! Funny thing, the owner of the store (previous owner) is one of my friends here and she was moving so she gave the doll house to another friend's daughter. I went over for a BBQ (thanks again Valarie!) and there it was, in all it's glory! It made me laugh! (Do I need to remind you that I titled this blog Simple Pleasures?)


Well, I can't blog without adding my boys! The other day I found Coleman in front of the fridge with a cube of butter in one hand and digging in and eating with the other. Kids! You gotta love 'em!


Here is my darling Teegan. He has started showing off his smiles the past couple weeks. I can't help but smile back!

I got lost . . .

. . . in the town of Forks, Washington. For those of you who are being slow to join the "Twilight" series club (like me) I highly suggest you do. I have become totally enthralled with these books. I have read the first three books with an average of 450 pages each in the past six days. I am only blogging now, waiting for nap time to be over, so I can go buy the fourth book, "Breaking Dawn". So I apologize for the slacker wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend that I have become!

I am realizing that I now have a lot to catch up on. To start off, this last weekend was Teegan's blessing. We loved being "invaded" (as my dad put it) by family! We know that they all made some sacrifices to be here with us. Thank you, thank you! It was so much fun!

To start off, we went to the Farmer's Market and to East Grand Fork's Catfish Days. I think next year I can do without that celebration, but we made the most of it while we were there.

Phil & Coleman playing around on the blow-up toys.


Sorry, Amber, I had to put this on! It's too cute!


Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! Grumpy & Coleman watch the train go by. Coleman's favorite!


That night, we went to Happy Joe's for a pre-birthday party for Coleman while Grandparents and aunts were in town.

Grandpa and Grandma Roylance


Chelsea, Teegan, and I just leaving the restaurant.


Coleman was so funny with his cupcake! Only a two-year-old would think to eat it like this! :)


On Sunday, Phil blessed Teegan. I am so grateful that he has the priesthood and was able to give Teegan that special blessing. I am also grateful for family and good friends who also participated. Thank you!

Teegan looked so cute in his blessing outfit. Thanks Mom for not listening to me when I said I didn't want a new one. Teegan looked heaven sent in this outfit! I really appreciate it!


Our family!


On Monday, my family stayed on a little bit longer and we had fun shopping, picnicking, eating out and exploring!

My sisters and I at Turtle River State Park.


All of us in the sunflower field.


Grammy and Teegan. So cute!

There are a bunch more cute pictures taken here, but Phil is giving me the "evil eye" for taking so long. I better pick up the pace!

The week before all of these events, our good friends, the Erhards, were moving away and we had a little get together before they left. Here is Holly!


We decided to send them off with a BANG!! by doing some fireworks. Lets just say, it turned out as a "dud" at first! Our lighter broke and we didn't have anything else. Thanks to McKenzie and Dallin who are super pyros for figuring it out. I'm still not exactly positive how they did it, but it turned out being lots of fun!

Sparklers!


I can't believe I let this happen, but here are Coleman and Phil shooting off Roman Candles. I just hope Coleman was too young to remember so he doesn't get any ideas in ten years!

Looking Back

I thought it would be fun to see what Phil and I looked like when we were at the same ages of Coleman and Teegan. It is interesting to compare the different facial features. I think that Coleman has Phil's eyes and Teegan has my hair. What does everyone else think?

Phil at two and a half & Megan at almost two years


















Coleman just coming up on the two year mark! (His birthday is in August.)

















Phil and Megan at about three months


















Coleman at 5 Weeks. Look at that hair! :)














Teegan at 5 Weeks. To me, he looks so much like my brother Cameron in this picture.

One Month Old

Today Teegan is one month old. I can't believe it. Time is flying by! He is such a joy and we just love him. We had a mini photo shoot trying to get a good picture for the baby announcements. Here are a few good shots!





Coleman wanted to be apart of the fun, so we let him join in. He behaved really well at first.


But then . . .


Brothers . . . what's a mom to do?

(*Note: no one was harmed in the taking of this picture, it just looks like it!)

Play Time and Nap Time

The UP time . . .
Last week, I desperately wanted to start up our family bike rides again. We wanted to put the carseat in the bike trailer so Teegan would be safe and Coleman and Teegan just didn't fit together. Our solution was to buy a back seat for Phil's bike. I think Coleman likes riding there more anyway! Here is Dad & Coleman testing it out.


On Friday, we headed over to the Grand Forks County Fair. It was, to put it lightly, small! There was a mini petting zoo, lots of junk food, and way too expensive carnival rides. Mom and Coleman "gone fishin'".

On Saturday night, we met up with a bunch of our friends. It was supposed to be a bbq, but the weather wouldn't cooperate. We ended up at Happy Joe's (a pizza joint). Coleman and Elizabeth riding in the motor car!


The DOWN time . . .

Phil and Teegan crashed out on the couch!


On Monday, my friend Heather and her daughter Maggie, went down to Fargo with me and the boys to do some apartment hunting! On the way home, Coleman and Maggie had enough of the adventure and fell asleep for the ride home. Lucky for the moms! We were able to chat in peace and quiet! (For a little while, anyway).


Teegan and Coleman this morning on the floor. Aren't they cute?

Baby Announcements

So I have finally finished the baby announcements and sent them off. I thought they turned out really cute and was kind of proud of myself. Thanks to the gallery on splitcoast stampers for the idea!
I'm sorry to those who didn't get one. I realized way too late that we have a lot more family and friends than I had supplies! Please consider this your announcement!

I made several different paper designs.


Here is the front of the double pocket card.


The card with all the tags out.