Cardboard Chair

I poster pictures of the completed cardboard chair on my blog. Check it out!

Hard Work Pays Off

I just wanted to let everyone know that my project was completed 2 weeks ago. Today I received my official grade- 96.5% not too shabby!! Everything I got docked for were just "no big deal" things. If I had had a tiny bit more time they wouldn't have been an issue! Overall my professor really liked my work. My other professor graded my model on the spot. He said I have excellent craftsmanship and was impressed with the clean lines and no sign of glue residue or anything. He said it was definitely A work. I must admit I am pretty darn proud of myself. I learned a lot about myself and life from this project. I am really pleased with my work but realize that I sacrificed a lot of things that I shouldn't have. I am continually working on balancing out my life!! I love you all!

bring your best game

Some of you have officially been "tagged" by ME (Lauryn). Here are the instructions:

"For those of you who have now been tagged by ME, here are your instructions. You must A) List six (that's 6, folks) facts / habits about yourself, then B) Tag six people (yes, 6 again... sense a pattern here?) at the end of your post and leave them a comment on their respective blogs, telling them they've been "tagged" and to check your blog for their instructions!

The lucky winners are: Mom, Dad, Dustin, Brandon, and Mallory (the other person won't read this post...she is getting her own message).

i posted a new blog on the donat database...check it out!

Open House

Hey everyone,
The open house went well here in Rexburg. It was so great to have mom and dad here. I missed them as soon as they got in the car- so did Josh. We are so lucky to have such awesome parents and such a loving family. I've been thinking about all of you a lot lately. I just want all of you to know how much I love you. I can't wait until we can all be together again. Hopefully that will be soon!
Love,
Lauryn

Donat Database

Hello Family!
I just wanted to inform all of you that I have set up a blog for Josh and I. It is entitled "Donat Database." Just click on Donat and you will find the link. Otherwise it's http://joshdonatlauryn.blogspot.com. Anyhoo, things are going well here in Idaho. The apartment is finally starting to look good and we have most everything we need (finally). Josh is very busy working at the Idaho State Fair this week. His company has a booth there and somehow he got assigned 4 very long shifts. But at least he's getting paid for it! I just keep working on the apartment and trying to get us more settled in. Tomorrow I am starting a big project for the office. I'd tell you what it is, but I want mom and dad to be surprised when they come. After the office is done and our D.I. pile finally gets taken to the D.I. then our apt. will be all set- just in time for school! I will also be very busy with research for my classes this week. I fear I am already slightly behind most people, but I intend to catch up this week so that I can be on top of things when school starts next week. Tonight our friends Dave and Kendra Bigger (with their son Grant) drove through on their way back down to Logan. We went to dinner with them and had a great time. It's always nice to get out and do something fun! The Elder's Quorum Presidency is coming to visit Josh tom. evening, and the R.S. Presidency is coming for me on Wed. I am hoping we will be getting callings soon. I almost forgot to write something very important. Try-outs for Josh's inter-collegiate baseball club will be held wed. through fri. He is very excited about it all. I'm hoping it all works out better than last year! We both love all of you very much. Hope to talk to you soon!
Love,
Lauryn

beautiful Nauvoo (august 17-19)

Lauryn and Josh Donat were sealed in the Nauvoo temple on Saturday. It was so great to be down there with family and friends. I was excited because I got to do a session in the temple (first endowment session since Atticus was born.) I went through without Brandon :(, because he was in Chicago for interviews, but I did get to go through with Lauryn's friend (and my new friend) Lyndsey Mica. She is about to leave on a mission, after only being a member for a few years. She is awesome. I had a really great experience.

We got to stay at the Nauvoo Grand bed and breakfast (thanks Moon Mom and Dad!!!) It was so beautiful. Breakfast was delicious and we got to meet a crazy lady. :)
Here are a few pictures.

Weekend In Idaho

Well it's been a few weeks that Dustin and I went to visit Idaho but I'm finally posting some pictures from it. Dustin and I went up to Idaho to visit Lauyrn and Josh and to see the rest of the family. I went to Lauryn's bridal shower while Dustin and Josh hit the green for a bit of golfing. We spent the evening in Idaho Falls with the rest of the family. We headed into the city of Idaho Falls and walked around the temple. Believe it or not I had never actually been to Idaho Falls. Haven't really been farther into Idaho than Preston and I've lived 3 hours away. Not that there is a ton to see in Idaho. The drive was long and boring and it just was a taste to the drive we get to do in 2 weeks!

Trip to the ER

Well, it was definately a Friday the 13th for me. It was actually the first time in my life I have ever been to the emergency room for myself. Thank you all for your love and concern for me. I am going to be alright as soon as I can talk your dad into letting me have major surgery. I think Truly was the most traumatized by the whole event. (Details will NOT be forthcoming)!

Just a note to the family: Devon deserves lots of praise for excessive bravery. He told us at Family Home Evening that our family does not communicate, and he wants to see a change. He would like to see us be more open with each other and be willing to share feelings: hopes, dreams, happy events as well as our sorrows and dissappointments. He feels that he is often left out because he is the youngest, and no one ever calls him for advice or help in times of need. His challenge to the family is to take a deep breath and say the things that need to be said to each other!

What do you all think?????

Lots of Love,
MOM

Exciting New

My cousin, Jordan Dearden, got his mission call to the Chicago South English speaking mission!!!!! I'll get to see my cousin!!! He enters the MTC on August 29th! I am so super excited because I'll more than likely be able to see him while he is serving. It's like the greatest news! I won't be the only Dearden in Illinois for at least 2 years!

Happy 16th to Devon!!!

Well, Devon hit the third big mark yesterday, his 16th birthday. The first, of course, being 8 for Baptism, and the second being 12 for receiving the Priesthood (escaping Primary is a big deal too!).
The celebration went well into the night, as Dev had a soccer game (beat Benet 5-nil) that went until after 8:00. Mom and I treated Dev and his friend Matt to dinner at Raffi's, Mediteranean Cuisine in the 5th Avenue Station right by the train station, where we all tried a few dishes that, well, let's just say we weren't too sure about. In the end, turned out to be PLENTY of good food, and no one went hungry .
Then, we retired to the home for cake, and found an assortment of young people waiting to "break cake" with us - Truly, her friend Laura, Ben, Ricky Mitchell, the Chicago Fire soccer player, etc.
Anyway, HAPPY BIRTDAY TO DEVON! It was a really fun evening!!

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day (mostly to Brandon and Randy)...
Dustin and I had a good day spending time with my dad's. Though we wish we could of been in Illinois at the same time. We went to church with my mom and Steve and Dustin got a brand new tie for being a future dad! We had a good lunch then went to my dad and Jana's for dinner. We played a bit of croquett and knock-out (or as us Utahn's call it Elimination) We had a lot of fun and got a good exercise.
Hope you all had a wonderful day too!

p.s. for the recored I beat Dustin in croquet and got him out a few times in Knockout/elimination!!!!!

I just wanted to say that I have the cutest nephew in the ENTIRE world! I can't believe he gets cuter every single day!! I am very much looking forward to seeing him (and everyone else) in august. I am also excited for Dustin and Mallory to come visit in July! Josh and I are trying to plan something fun! I hope everyone is doing well. I love you all!!

Dane the Moviemaker

Dane Cannon is setting YouTube on fire, enjoy these two "pranks".. He got paid to do the first, but the second they just couldn't resist.
Make sure you rate them high, and send them on to your friends!


http://youtube.com/watch?v=923UXEejE4A
http://youtube.com/watch?v=GY_tvK3N_YU

Diamond Rio - "In God We Still Trust"

I guess Diamond Rio started performing this song in 2005, but the radio stations won't play it because it's not "politically correct"...

http://gunbarrelcityradio.com/InGodWeStillTrust.wmv

Blessing Weekend Blues...

Well, I am a bummed Grandpa. Left at home by Marlys & Devon, unable to scoot down to B-ham for the blessing of Atticus.
I am going back to St. George next Friday, business trip on a new account Mark and I are working on.
Timmer may be in Chicago next weekend, doing his Admiral thing at Great Lakes, so I hope to see him while he's out here.
You all take care (and PICTURES)!!!

Memorial Day Camping

Dustin and I went camping over the weekend at Payson Lakes with Sara and Keith. On our way up to the mountains we stopped at Theo and Marie's house to visit. While there we rode their horses around the yard. Dustin rode Golden who took him under a Basketball hoop that almost took him out. My horse's name was Dox. It was a lot of fun.
We spent two nights in the mountains. We played games most the time and hung around the camp area. It was a good time to get away from reality.
Dustin is still looking for a job and he's had many interviews. Keep your fingers crossed!!
Love you all!

ring pictures

here is with the wedding band intertwined...it is plain and crosses directly below the diamond. each side that is at an angle isn't polished, and has 2 litle diamonds inset.
birds eye view...and yes, it's dang shiny!!
blurry..bad picture...sorry...
kind of blurry again, but you're starting to get the idea of the ring (no wedding band on this one)
that's underneath the diamond so you can see where the wedding band crosses under and interlocks!!

oh look, here we are. i took pics of the ring but they didn't turn out, i'll try again tomorrow. more pictures coming when i have more time (it took me a while to figure out how to do this...). love you all!!

my address

i forgot to include my rexburg address, so here it is...

246 South 100 West #107
Rexburg, Idaho 83440

if you want josh's address then here it is...

136 West 3rd South #6
Rexburg, Idaho 83440

THE RING AND SUCH

pictures of the ring and josh and i will be coming soon. the ring will probably be taken away for a couple of days to be re-sized :( after that i will get pictures...it's FREAKING beautiful, I LOVE IT! i also love all of you. mom's details of the dates and times are correct. so far we are planning to have a luncheon/bbq or something in nauvoo on friday late afternoon/evening. i'll get more details when that comes.
much love,
lauryn

Wedding Day in Nauvoo

I think Lauryn and Josh have settled on a day and time for the wedding. It will be in Nauvoo. The sealing will be at 10:00 AM on the 18th of August. That's a Saturday. Dustin and Mallory will be moving to Illinois that week, so they will drive straight to Nauvoo on the 16th. We (Randy, Devon, Josh, Lauryn, and I) will probably drive to Nauvoo Friday (17th) in the morning. Josh and Lauryn have to get the marriage license in Carthage by 3:00 on Friday. The reception will be back in Naperville at 7:00 PM on the 18th. It will be a looong day!!!!

Love to All,
MOM

Our Family Keeps Growing!

Lauryn accepted the wedding proposal last night and is off to Vegas today. No, she and Josh are not eloping; Lauryn is going to spend four days in Las Vegas as part of her interior design program.

Congratulations Lauryn and Josh!! This is a perfect venue to post a picture of the ring and a picture of the engaged couple. Brandon, Elizabeth, and Atticus have never met Josh and might want to see how the two of you look together! I am so happy that my daughter is so happy!

I'm hoping this blog will be a good way to communicate wedding plans and ideas.

Love to All,
MOM

Atticus wants to blog.

Okay, Atticus. Blog away...

,m p,Aa xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

A Blog to Remember, by Nicholas Sparks

Hey! Nice blog, guys. We started one up awhile ago, but never posted. Today, Elizabeth got frisky and blogged for quite some time. Anyway, here's the link if y'all wanna check it out!

Moon Times

Oh, and here's a picture to liven things up.

Interesting Week for the Utah Moons

Well Dustin and I have had a interesting week with different news and stuff we have found out. First school is almost done. One more week! It's been a rough semester for both of us. We got horrible news on Thursday that Chris and Jamie are not able to have children of their own :(. It's really torn up the family here. So they are looking toward adoption, are we are just as excited for them to have a child of their own some day. Sara and Keith bought a home in West Bountiful and they are moving in a week so it leaves Dustin and I living in the ghetto of Salt Lake City alone. We are still both working 30+ hours a week and getting very excited to move in August. We did have a nice new addition to the family, a brand new 2007 mazda3. (sorry not a baby). We are way happy about it. Dustin loves driving it! That really all the news with us. We love you all and miss you! I guess we will be seeing all of you in 3 months at some point in our travels.
Mallory

Devon Love

So I noticed that Devon is not included in this blogging affiar- why don't we love him?
I would vote Devon back into the family...all those in favor say "I."

White Sox - 2007 Season

Well, our south side boys are off on another season. Keys to the new season? Concerns? Voice them all here, in a friendly forum of family (the coveted "Tri-F", as many refer to it).

I hereby christen thee - "The Moon Family Blog"

Enjoy!