NEW BLOG!!!!

I've had some issues with this blog lately... I'm not sure why but I haven't been able to change my header and add anything into it that is custom. Its been annoying enough that I've copied everything over into our new blog! Come see us at http://kateandpeterlowe.blogspot.com/
I'm bummed I won't have any comments on this new on but at least I'll be able to play around with it a little more! Its still kind of NAKED so don't be too harsh :)

Worlds of FUN!

Peter and I FINALLY took a day off from work (the first of the whole summer) and went to "Worlds of Fun!" We had such a blast riding roller-coasters, screaming, laughing and getting splashed together! It was so much fun to just act like kids and PLAY together! We even got to meet the PeAnUts gang, Snoopy, Lucy and Sally!

Sharp Shooter Pete!

We look like we have long legs and Capris on but don't be deceived!
Its just a bendy mirror! If I were to kick my leg back
you would see that my knee begins where my pants end...
YIKES
It was such a fun day! I was so grateful that Peter made me finally
take a day off! How needed it was!
I had such a blast just spending the day with my babe!

The Fourth and So forth...

4th of July Morning we got up early and had "Old Glory Pancakes" with Jonny and Sarah... Ok maybe not the real ones but at least they were close!



Oh they were tasty! We had Jonny and Peter show them off for us being that Sarah and I aren't exactly Morning Lovers... We were looking BEAUTIFUL! :)

Even Little Livi's Dolly got to come to our 4th of July Breakfast!



Cooper was looking quite... festive as I would say! He picked out this shirt on his very own and enjoyed wearing it!



Or maybe not so much... He was a little depressed the whole time he had it on so I didn't make him wear it. Its probably because the boys made fun of his and said he looked like a gay cowboy... Ha Ha he was cute anyway!



Oh I love you little CoOpEr!

Our hEaLinG PuPpy!

Just a few pictures of Coopers latest AdVeNtUrEs...
He's getting back to his normal playful self!

Riding in the car... well he comes in the car with us everyday but today he got buckled up too! He sat that way the whole car ride! Good boy Cooper!















Cooper found a Beetle in Jonny and Sarah's apartment and thought he'd make a new friend! He would paw at him and lick him and shake his head at the tingle of the bugs legs on his tongue.




So maybe he didn't make a new friend because he ended up killing the poor little guy. He just wanted to play!

OnE NaTioN, UnDer GoD!

I know this is all a little soon but being that the 4th of July is my FAVORITE holiday ever, I thought I would start celebrating a little early, especially because I will be working on that day. (yes I've already cried. Seriously.)

Ever since I can remember my family has celebrated the Fourth of July like it was Christmas... only BIGGER! We are all die hard PATRIOTS! As kids and all growing up we would all camp out in Grandma Paynes backyard with our cousins. The morning of the fourth we were woken up at 5 am by BLARING music coming from the windows of the house, nothing other than good ol' "Stars and Stripes Forever" and other patriotic marches! Then we all came in and had "Old Glory" Pancakes (recipe on right side of blog) for breakfast and got ready to go to the Flag Raising Ceremony. There we would have a devotional with patriotic speeches accompanied by a moment of silence as the dear flag was raised. Were my grandma lives we could look out over the valley and see the balloons from the balloon festival.
Next we were off to the Provo Parade! Nothing else compares to it. From the Local high school bands and cheerleaders, to Great Uncle Allen blowing the canons at every block, there isn't anything better than the Provo Parade. I can't help but tear up when I see the Missionaries that march or the Army Squads in their Camo! Oh and I can't forget my dads Peircing Whistle every time he sees his favorable political canditates. We were raised to love the flag and anything that had to do with defending it!












In the afternoon we all meet back at our house for the Payne Family BBQ. Its BIG and if you miss it... well we'd be more forgiving if it were Christmas but NOT the Fourth! My dad makes sure EVERYONE is fed, including the dog and lets everyone know, "If you go home hungry, its your own darn fault!" The food is accompanied by swimming and canon ball contests! You better believe we have to fill the pool back up when all is said and done!

The BBQ is great but all must stop at 4:30 so we can all get ready for(yes I just sang that out loud!) Its always been tradition to go and celebrate with the rest of Provo at the Stadium of Fire. We've seen countless artists there from Huey Lewis and the News, Toby Keith, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McIntire, Leanne Womack, Sawyer Brown, Natalie Cole, Martina McBride and others! To start the whole program off the JETS fly over the stadium filling the whole bowl with a chest shaking sound! The impact is enough to fill my eyes with tears of awe. It is my absolute favorite part of the entire day! One very memorable parts of the program is when they invite those who have served in the Air Force, Army, Marines, Military etc to stand up. I will never lose that lump in my throat that I get when my dad stands with the others that served in the Marine Core Platoons to sing their anthem.

"From the halls of Montezuma,
To the shores of Tripoli;
We fight our country's battles
In the air, on land, and sea;
First to fight for right and freedom
And to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title
Of United States Marine."

The pride I would always feel in my heart was unforgettable. I look up to my dad for his patriotism and diligent desire to engrave the burning love for his Country in our hearts. He was very successful!

Next come the FIREWORKS! They are simply breathtaking and impacting. I tell you what, the louder and more shaking the better! We are also a family that loves Volume! If it'll shake your ear drum its only half loud enough. Just ask Grandpa Payne... he'd respond, "What? I can't hear you!"

By the end of the night we are all saying, "Only 365 days until next year!" It is truly our love and privilege to stand up and celebrate this wonderful country! Although there may be things to complain about in government and politics we must remember that this Country was all started by the PEOPLE. We are all blessed to be here and should remember those things that we fought for to earn this FREEDOM! We should want to spread that patriotism to others around us! After all we are

ONE NATION UNDER GOD!

Weekend Fun!

This last weekend the "Techs" finally got a little bit of time off and got to all go out to dinner together. It's been a while since we've all gone to dinner being that one tech usually stays behind to take jobs for our ONE salesman that insists on working late. He's an over achiever. The techs are given $10 dinner bonuses from the company each week but since we hadn't gone in a while our bonuses added up. Each Tech (and their wife) had $40 to blow... each! Oh you better believe we went all out! We all went out to The Cheesecake Factory. Yummmm!! I started out with a peach smoothie and then got the most delicious lettuce wraps! Wow they were all sorts of tasty! Peter got Hibachi Steak and garlic mashed potatoes. Oh my mouth just waters thinking about it! We ended off the night with Dutch Carmel Apple Streusel Cheesecake. It was all SO delectable!

On Sunday after church we all went to Independence to the Church visitors center. It was such a neat and spiritual experience. We were also able to bring one of our non-member friends, Jory Lara-Sullivan. We all had a great time and learned alot about the saints and their struggles. We also went through a presentation that was all about families and the plan of salvation. We have really enjoyed being out here where there is so much history. Jory got a Book of Mormon and told us that he would read and pray about the chapter that we assigned him. We've been praying for the Lords help in opening his mind and heart to the spirit. He came to Peter today with many questions about it so we're very excited about the teaching opportunity ahead of us.


It has been such a blessing for us to be out here and learn so much about our own church that we didn't know before. We have learned so much together and felt our Heavenly Fathers love for us very strongly. We have grown closer together as a couple and are grateful for blessings that we receive as we follow the promptings of the spirit. It is amazing what the Lord makes clear to you when you are listening to the still small voice.

Addicted!

Peter and I Are still in the process of aquiring all of those "home essentials." Being newly weds is great but there is still the fact that we don't have EVERYTHING that our parents have and have to get creative about some things.
This week we finally bought a VACUUM and a new SWIFFER to replace the one we forgot in Utah. I am addicted to cleaning now! I love out new vacuum and my dear little swiffer. Most of all I love having a clean and sparkling house! It has been my late night hobby while I wait for Peter to come home. What are your hobbies or little things that addict you????

Cami's Scraps!

My sister-in-Law's Sister, Cami, is such a talented Card maker! I've always loved to scrapbook and make cards but her work puts anything of mine to SHAME! She is so creative and inventive, her cards are adorable! She has a small business that she's started where she makes and sells custom cards! They are perfect for those occasions when you want to give something that is personal but don't have time to do the work yourself. She does all the work for you right out of her home and gives everything she makes that home-made touch! You couldn't buy any card at the store that is THIS CUTE especially for this kind of price! They are a steal if you ask me! Check it out yourself at Cami's Scraps <- (Click the link) and see if you don't fall in love!

Here are just some examples of what she does!

Birthday Cards

and many other occasions....

See for yourself and Enjoy!

Just a minor Hold up...

So the Other day as we were driving to work we were stopped at an intersection by some cops in the distance with their lights flashing towards us. They just pulled up into the middle of the intersection and blocked the pathway off... for what? We weren't sure at the time. Over the hill though we saw a huge line of MASSIVE trucks. They were clearing the way for this baby!



I have never seen one of these before but Peter educated me and told me that it was a wind mill blade. I never knew they were so big! Don't even worry, the driver seriously almost didn't make it around the corner as it blocked of the ENTIRE intersection, light pole to light pole. We were only held up for a good 15 minutes! What a random thing to hold up your day.

Church History Sites

This last Sunday we had the opportunity to go and visit some of the nearby Church History Sites. Here are a few of the things that we were able to see and learn about.


This is a picture of the walls of the Liberty Jail. They were 4 feet thick. The first layer was made of tree trunk thick timbers. Next was a layer of Rock wall. Between these two layers however is about a foot and a half of loose rocks. That way if anyone did break through the timbers the loose rocks would fall down through the hole and fill the room. The jail was inescapable. This is where Joseph Smith received his revelations for the Doctrine and Covenants Sections 121-123.




Next we went to Far West to see where the Temple was supposed to be built. The area is beautiful around there. I can see why the Saints would have picked that area to build the temple. Only the corner stones were still in place for us to see now.















Fianlly we went to Independence (only about 7 Miles from where we live) and visited some of the sites there. We were able to see the RLDS or what is now know as the Community of Christ Temple. Its definitely unique in its structure and appearance.