Our visit to Yellowstone National Park

Well it was a bitter sweet trip. We were so excited to go and camp. We were going to get to see some people from travis' mission. Well when we drove the hour and a half up there i started feeling extremely sick. Within 5 minutes of parking i threw up. There were a million and ten misquotes out so the men hurried to put the tents up and we hurried back into the car. But then our friends couldn't see us so we went out to dinner just the four of us. I got a sprite to calm my stomach. Little help that did because i threw it up too. and i said "there goes 2 dollars" So we ended up just going straight to bed because of all the bugs. But we weren't prepared and the night was hard. We were freezing and we didn't have pillows. So it was pretty much a sleepless night. Followed by more barfing. 

So in the morning we got up to go see yellowstone. i still felt like crap but we went anyways. We ended up seeing geysers and old faithful. We saw this cool hot water pool where the tour guide said mice will go to the edge to warm up but get to close and fall in and burn and die. it was crazy hot and smelled like egg salad sandwiches.

Here is old faithful we waited an hour to see it go off so luckily it was worth it. I am not very patient when i don't feel good so i was really annoyed but it did its shooting thing and i was impressed.


 Lucky for Travis i wasn't feeling that good so he didn't have to be in a million pictures. But there will always be a next time. 

On the way home i was feeling a lot better and we ate at this really good pizza place and went into this really cool rock store that next time i am going to get some cool rocks!! (if you know this side of me you can only imagine how excited i was in that store. Like a kid in a candy store.) and then we came home to sleep in our comfy beds. It was a short but fun weekend. Lets just hope next time we go i am not so sick.

The Olympics

So as a swimmer i am drawn to the Olympic swimmers. It just blows me away how absolutely fast they are. We watched the prelims and drove through Nebraska where they were taking place. Whether it is Michael Phelps or Dara Torres i am constantly impressed. But wow Dara Torres is insane. If you don't know who i am talking about i put a picture. But here are some fast facts that will prove how amazing she is. She is 41 years old making her the oldest woman to ever qualify for the olympics, she's broken swimming records in the Olympic Trials & is competing in Beijing in one month!! She has already competed in 5 Olympics & won 9 medals!! She was once Bulimic and overcome it. She's also overcome numerous surgeries and has a Daughter. Crazy. What a wonder woman. I hope i look this good when i am 40!! ha ha 

Sweet 1 dollar steal!

Yesterday we went to the Dollar Tree in town and scored some sweet 1 dollar glasses (ones some gas stations couldn't sell) I was so excited. We each got 2 pairs. We figured if they broke we wouldn't be out much!! I also got some near sighted glasses so I don't ruin my eyesight while I cross-stitch. They are very grandma. ha ha. oh the pleasures of being a poor married couple.

A Shout out to my Girlies!!! idea from Britt

I don't give near enough credit to my amazing friends so i thought I'd give them the recognition they deserve!!

They aren't in any order and if there aren't pictures its just cuz i don't have them on this computer.

First... My freaking Best Friend Opal

We have been fbfs for going on 6 years pretty much since we met. Opal is the only person that can be completely brutally honest with me and i will still love her to death. We have plenty of adventures and memories and i am lucky to have such a righteous best friend!!

Britt is actually a cousin by chance but a friend by Choice. She is BRILLIANT and so freaking nice. I look up to her in so many ways. She will laugh with me when no one else thinks i was funny which i appreciate. and of course she has a good weirdy radar so she can warn me!! ha ha

Ashley is my co-worker but defiantly my best school friend. We understand each other is so many ways. Its so fun to have these deep conversations that we agree with one another completely. Plus she uses my advice which makes me feel important!

Nicole is my closest Married friend!! ha ha we get out of frustrations... well my frustrations ha ha and funny stories you have to be married to laugh at. oh and she always looks absolutely Amazing.

Jenna and i clicked instantly. We only hung out for about 3 weeks until we were transfered but we have kept close since. Which is good because our husbands are good friends too which if anyone knows isn't the easiest to find.

Cham is my newest friend and got me through the long summer months of selling security. She is such a good mom and tells the funnest stories. And she always is full of compliments making me feel so loved.

Sam and i have been friends since high school and its always nice to have a friend like her to look up too. I laugh because she does everything before me (marriage, baby birth... etc) and still does it amazing. there is always so much to learn from her.

Heather and i are as close as sisters. I love her so much. We have so much fun no matter what we do. i can not wait for her to move to Rexburg. Her older brother Aaron is one of my best friends as well and he is on a mission in England. All three of us were inseparable in high school. 

Orchid is my "dark Friend" we joke a lot. she is so sweet to everyone but herself... were working on that though ha ha. she makes everyone feel so good about themselves even complete strangers. she's great.

Mindy keeps me sane when our husbands are on there newest idea. I am so luck to have a friend that can chat with me through the endless sports games. And her excitement on all the little things cheers me up no matter what mood i am in.

ok i think that is enough for now!! i love you girls and i am so lucky to have you!! 

Trip TO Washington to see the FAM!!

We were back for less than a week in Rexburg when we got a great deal on Plane Tickets so we took the trip To good Old Washington. We drove to boise and then flew to seattle. We spent 6 days in Lake Stevens. Its so nice because our Families live like 3 miles apart so there is plenty of time to see and spend time with both. We got to go shopping and eat like kings (salmon, lobster, steak YUM!!) we sure do love Our Parents and Siblings and were so so glad to see them!! It was so fun.

We Had a team Bowling event with some family friends. They were red and we were blue!! We got shirts that match. It was so fun even though i am so bad at bowling i didn't even get over 100!!!

Here is the whole fam!! matching and by height. Notice that Chase is the only one that hasn't passed me up yet. Christian is taller than my Mom!! It is crazy to see them grow up!!
The "Kids" 

We went out on Travis' Parent's boat. It was super fun sunny day on the Lake. I love boating and It was so fun to spend time with Travis' parents and brother's family.

You can't really see it but I am terrified and Trav is thrilled!! Every year I try tubing again but still I hate it. I just don't like bouncing around until you flip out. It was fun to watch Travis and his Brother get thrown around. 

This is my niece Karissa and nephew Alex hanging out on the boat. They went way faster then me on the tube!! they are some brave kids!!

We went out to eat with my Aunt and visited my cousin. He just got a kitten and named her princess. He is getting so big!!

I got my hair Done too. It darker although you can't really tell in this picture. I am working it back to my natural color since my cousin moved I don't have anyone to do it. So my other cousin in Washington did it for me. What will I do without Anna??

Last we saw Mount Rainer from the plane and it was GORGEOUS. I just love the Pacific Northwest. It is so green and beautiful and so nice. I wouldn't mind living there forever.

It was a great trip!! I can't even wait for Christmas!!

Floating the River

July 5th we floated down a river in Ashton with our friends Tom and Mindy. It was a fun lazy time in the sun but the water was so cold. But best of all we took a few Pictures!!! i was so happy so i thought i'd share them!!

Random but kinda true

So my cousin thinks travis looks like Jack from Lost and my sister and Mom thinks he looks like Nigel Barker well-known fashion photographer from America's Next Top Model. I am starting to see the resemblance and it makes me feel lucky. Ha Ha good times

The Adventure is Over

Well its been a while since my last post... record length for me. But i had a good reason. I surprised Opal for her birthday for coming back to rexburg. Her face was priceless and i was so happy to see her again. 

So the last 2 weeks in Virginia were tough. Travis started hating knocking and wasn't selling so we came home before we lost anymore money. We really had a great adventure though and have no regrets. We may do it again sometime too.

I loved my job i worked at. It was a summer camp inside a Jewish Community. I worked with an adorable 4 year old named Rose. She was so fun and made me so excited to have a job working with children like her.

So we made the trip back to the Burg and couldn't be happier. We got to stop in Indianapolis to see our friend Jenna and Andrew. It was super fun. We went out to breakfast and lunch and ate at this place on the water for dinner and watched the sunset. It was a great day. (MnM or OREO!!!!)

But we do have sad news. We had to get rid of Neiko. I called over 50 places in Rexburg and No one would let us keep him with out a ridiculous deposit. (were talking 6000 dollars) So we made a craigslist post and gave him to these really nice people a new couple like us looking for a new addition to their family. It was so sad. I bawled and bawled.

SO now were home and enjoying our hallway home!! Were going to Washington on Thursday to see our families. I can't wait. Its been 6 months.

So that is the lengthy update on us. Hope you enjoyed it!!!

Happy Father's Day

My adorable Husband who is so bad "A", Thanks for being the best husband I could ask for!!

THANKS DAD FOR BEING SO GREAT!!! I LOVE YOU!!! You raised me up so well!!

My father-in-law  Jim has done a lot for us!! Thanks for Everything!!

An eventful Weekend

So finally after much begging for travis to take a picture with me on the beach he let me. Well with him and his sandwhich but hey who's complaining. SO much over due here is us on Virginia Beach. I am wearing my new J.crew Swim Suit and as you can tell my hair does very well in the humidity. not really it is quite the frizzy mess now a days.

We had a little accident at the beach as well. Travis and I have been trying to learn to skim board. We saw these little kids surfing with theirs when the waves were about to break on the sand so trav gave it a try. The board collided with the wave and banged into his face. He wouldn't let me take him to the doctor so lets hope its not broken. It was bleeding like crazy and i put an end to all skim boarding activities. we sold it to our boss. 

But of course giving something away must make room for something new so we bought a Dart Board. A real one with steel darts. Trav is some kind of champion but i am slowly learning. I got a double and triple 19 in one hand. thats pretty good for sheer luck of the throw. Now if only we could get nieko to stop thinking we are playing fetch with him... oh and it is on the couch right now until we get better... well until i get better so i don't hit the wall. :o) travis is such a thinker!!

Our little baby was sick all night and made his first mess on the carpet. I had to take him out 3 times. He is just resting and i am hoping it goes away and he is feeling better soon. 

And finally we drew all over each other's feet before going to the beach. Travis loves me and according to this picture i love him so much that i am letting him get a tattoo and a motorcycle. But for the record BOTH are not happening.  

Tagged things you didn't know about me

You've been tagged! Here's what you gotta do.

1) Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2) People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.
3) At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

Alright so here are 8 random facts about me...

1.         I obsess over laundry. I love doing it but if I am not going to be around when it is done or will be busy I can’t do it. Reason: I hate the smell of laundry that was wet but sat too long and love the feeling of burning hot clothes out of the hot dryer.

2.          I have a very over active imagination that makes me nervous to do simple things like drive because i imagine these horrible accidents.

3.          I have always wanted to be a t-shirt and Jeans type girl but have never been able to do it. It just looks to plain on me.  I don’t own any just plain t-shirts there all favorite fits from gap or Jcrew. richie rich t-shirts as opal calls them. ha ha  

4.         I was/am the biggest teachers pet. I would do anything for them in hopes of them giving me a better grade. I even made quilts for my favorite high school teachers (yes teachers is Plural.)

5.         I love to ride on Planes. I think I was just deprived as a child but I LOVE LOVE LOVE an airplane ride… who even cares where I am going.

6.         I don’t really like making out. I like short cute kisses no long slobbery all over me kisses.  And talking about that or anything further makes me so embarrassed. Travis is the same way so i guess its okay.

  7.      I love sugar. I hear about girls who give up sweets for weeks and I could never do that. God knew I did in heaven and blessed me with a small figure.

8.    I love cards. Birthday cards, thinking about you cards, get well soon and sympathy. I love to card shop 

and just go to stores to specifically look for a good card. I love getting and sending mail. 

Now I tag Ashley, Katie, Sam, Nicole, Caitlan, Allison, Mccall and Orchid

AND the Days Pass

Well it is now the sixth of June and I couldn't be happier that time is passing. 

I have Enjoyed a lot of good mail lately that has brightened my day. My mom sent a package to indy that finally made it too me with some new clothes so i couldn't be happier about that!!! i also got a lovely card from My FBF Opal. And a wedding card from one of me and travis' old High School Teacher. I was thrilled. Although getting mail in Virginia is a task. The state of Virginia is a "common wealth" state so the public doesn't own government things. You must order your mail box and then they come change the lock and then issue a new key, which you must go pick up. I think it is funny they do not trust the apartment complex with such a tedious task. 

other weird things about Virginia is:

#1 a gallon of milk = $4.07 even at walmart. that is more than a gallon of gas.  My conclusion they must not have Cows in Virginia.

#2 if you get a ticket you must pay it 3 times. once a year for 3 years. Obviously they want to remind you of the consequence.

#3 To park in a parking garage for 30 minutes for a job interview you must pay $2.00. That parking man was not going to let me talk my way out of that one.

and finally #4 they have gated Jewish Communities which i am now an employee of.

Other news. I got a new J.crew swimming suit to add to my collection. Nicole i know you will appreciate that!!! Funny thing was i didn't tell travis until after it was on its way. And since he didn't care i think i might just get another one... ok ok no i won't but it was fun to tell him i did it again.

Neiko is doing good. still barking much less thanks to his new collar. now i only put it on when i leave. hooray. I also bought him some new food and he liked it but took out all the green pieces that supposed to be vegetable flavor. (I think he is taking after travis who told me yesterday not to put lettuce on his sandwiches because it makes them too healthy.) But he ate the green treat bone so i know a way to trick him into eating his vegetables. Now only if there were those bones for people. Silly Boys.

So all is well with the Mattoons. Hope everything is going good for all of you as well. Pictures will come soon enough i am sure

A Tribute to my FAMILY

I have been so incredibly homesick these last few weeks and I was just on my friend Ashley's blog when I saw she had a school assignment to write a "tribute to her family" so I thought this might sum up all the thoughts I have been having about my wonderful home. And maybe help me vent and feel a little less homesick.

First my dad scott. He is the hardest working man I know. He works so so hard so my family can have a good life. We give him headaches and grey hair in return. He was always really strict on me but I know that it has made me into the great person I am today. Who know what I would have done if I didn't have the secret fear of what he'd do to me ha ha

Next my Ma Mere. She is so amazing. I don't know what I would do with out her example. She makes me laugh and cry and strive to be a better person everyday. She cleans and cooks like a mad woman and still has time to bargain shop. She has done so many things for me and my siblings and always puts our needs before her own.

My sister Clara is absolutely gorgeous.  Although we didn't always get along she has been such an example to me. She is so strong and doesn't let others bring her down. She is her own person and does things her own way no matter what people think. She is very dramatic but it brings such excitement into the home. I am so proud of her in all the things she's accomplished.

My Brother Christian is the most talented person. He just tries something and he is instantly good at it. He is naturally good at sports and has rock hard abs too boot. He is funny and handsome and smart. He really cares about people and school. He is also really good with little kids.

My other sister Chloe is a gem. She is extremely artistic and creative. She puts up with so much and is the peacemaker in our home. She gave up her bed for me the entire summer so i had somewhere to sleep. Chloe would do anything for anyone even if she didn't know them. She has tons of friends and I know why.

And Last but not Least Chase. Chaser is a a ladies man. Everyone that knows him likes him. He is very intelligent and might even be better than me at math. He is really funny and has lots of sports talent. He is really good at saving money and buys a lot of his own things at age 11. He is going to be really successful someday.

So that is my family. But now I have my own family so this is also a tribute to them!!

Travis is the hot stud I married 5 months ago. He is really athletic and can talk to anyone. He makes me feel so loved and deserving of all the blessing I've received. He holds the priesthood that blesses our homes (notice the S because we move so frequently.) I trust him with any decision he makes. He paid for his own mission because it was that important to him to share the gospel he knew with others. He is so talented and patient with me when i am being such a stinker.

And Neiko. My baby. Neikster always knows when I need a cuddle. Even when I just pout he is always there. He is so so so cute even when he does something bad he should get into trouble for. I am constantly laughing or smiling at something is does. He has been my new buddy in a lonely place.

So there it is my wonderful family. that felt good. "It's not about being read its about being written." gurken off of Sydney White. if you don't know what i am talking about you should watch that movie it is hilarious.