The Oldroyd Family

Today I did something I've NEVER done. I got up at 5:30 to be at a store by 6:00 am the day after Christmas! The store was Home Depot and the sought for item; a new Christmas Tree! To start at the beginning; I really prefer real trees. But I live in Texas and they're so dry by the time they get here the needles fall off and I have a puppy who eats everything... you see why it's not a good idea for us to have a real tree. So for the 3rd Christmas in a row I put up and decorated our fake tree that was a gift at a bridal shower. It's a dandy little tree that was perfect for our apartment dwelling days. As for a house... it looks a little puny, as you can see in the picture on the right. So I wanted a new tree and decided that I would get myself a good one. I heard Home Depot had good trees (they're half off right now) and they open early; so early I knew only the crazy people would actually go there. So I went. I was there at 6 am sharp and went straight to ...

Today is our 4th Wedding Anniversary! It's been a good four years! Our life is definitely different than we thought it would be on that beautiful winter day in Bountiful, Utah. We thought we were going to live in Utah, Sam would finish school at the University of Utah, we would camp every weekend (I even had a camping bridal shower!), and we'd wait a year or so to have kids... Well, none of those plans worked out! We instead moved to Houston where camping is NOT an option, Sam took 3 1/2 years to finish at the University of Houston, and we don't have kids! But the most important thing is that through all of the ups, downs, and changes, we've grown closer and built the beginnings of a strong eternal family. Here are the highlights of our life together: 2003 - We met in Provo in July, engaged in October, married 2 1/2 months later. We had a beautiful wedding and both were violently ill with a stomach flu the day after. We enjoyed a mini honeymoon in St. George and Las Veg...

For those of you who don't know, my Sam graduated from the University of Houston last week! Yup... he's FINALLY finished. He got his degree in Accounting and did very well this semester in his 15 credits. He refused to let me send out graduation announcements but I'm so proud of him I had to brag! It has taken so long for Sam to finish school because he has stopped and started so many times, transferred 3 times and since we moved to Houston, has only taken a couple of classes each semester (until this past one). He is so relieved to be done and I'm relieved too! Sam is leaving his awesome job at Home USA Mortgage to pursue a career in accounting. He is going to miss the people he's worked with so much. They have been so good to our family. Sam has a new job that starts January 8th. He's going to be working for a local public accounting firm called Briggs & Vaselka. He was referred by a friend who used to work there and loved it. We both feel reall...

Hello all! Sam & I just got back from our trip to Utah to see my brother off at the MTC. It was a good trip but we're glad to be home & back in our warm weather and our own (king size) bed! I'm not the best picture taker so I definitely didn't come home with pictures of everything I did in Utah but I did get some... Zack had his "farewell" talk in church on Sunday. He did a GREAT job! After church we had food out and people dropped by all day! It sure wiped us out! It was so fun to see everyone. The next couple days were all about getting Zack ready to go. We celebrated Christmas early and played some "Garbage." (Don't worry-- it's a card game-- we don't play in the garbage for fun!! Not usually anyway...) Wednesday was off the the MTC in the morning. It was a fun experience as a family but as some of you have experienced, it can be very hard to say goodbye for 2 whole years! We're so proud of Zack and the decision he ...

I got this great email from an old friend that had funny Christmas comics. I thought I'd pick a couple to post at a time for your holiday enjoyment! Keep checking back! Merry Christmas! These are a couple of my favorites!

It's December 1st! I can't believe it! As I get older, I have really started to look forward to this time of year. I'm not sure if it's maturity or the fact that I now live in Texas and went out tonight in short sleaves and flip flops. But I'm REALLY excited it's December!! My roommates used to call me "scrouge" because I was WAY anti-Christmas music until RIGHT before Christmas... then it was ok. And none of that cheesy Chipmunks Christmas PUUULLLEEAAASSSEEE!!! Well you'll be happy to hear (Trenda, Steph & Ang-- I'm talking to you!) that I now LOVE Christmas music. I still don't listen to it until after Thanksgiving but recently, I've even been known to turn it on while I'm cleaning. And by recently I mean today. And just look at my blog (or listen rather)! See how I've improved?!!? Well I better get this posted. It's 11:59! Almost December 2nd!

I've always loved Thanksgiving. Family, friends, time for reflection, time off work, FOOD!!! What could be better! I'm so thankful for the blessings I have in my life. I'm thankful for my Savior most of all. I have a wonderful and hardworking husband, loving parents and siblings, wonderful in-laws, supportive friends, a beautiful home, a job I enjoy, Chihuahua puppy love, who could ask for more? clipped from therizabella.livejournal.com  

I just had to post this. It's so cute!

Jill had her baby on Saturday! They arrived at the hospital at 5 pm on Saturday and Nick was born at 5:45 pm!! Cutting it close, eh? He was 5 lbs. 8 oz. and 18 in. long.

Welcome to SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!! Last Thursday (Nov. 15th) was the long awaited day... the live SYTYCD concert! Natalee, Laurie & I bought tickets on a whim several months ago & have been looking forward to this evening ever since! We started the evening with a tasty meal at P.F. Changs: Then off to the concert at Reliant Arena! It was AWESOME! You wouldn't believe the grown men and women FREAKING OUT! It was quite comical. We can't wait to go again next year!!!

On Saturday, November 10th, we had my friend Jill's baby shower at my house. She is a good friend of mine from school and the one I went to England with last March. She was due to have her first baby (a boy) on December 19th but went into pre-term labor at 31 1/2 weeks. She still wanted to have her baby shower, even though she was on bed rest, so we made her a comfy spot on my big chair and had a great time! Me, Jill and Jill's Sister Carey The blanket set that I made for Nick. Me, Susan & Jill (we all teach math together!)

Pepper is now 6 1/2 months old and she has gotten so big! I was looking back at some of the first pictures I took of her and I can't believe how much she's grown. I am grateful that she has gotten older because she is better behaved and sleeps through the night but I do miss the little 1.75 lb. puppy I brought home in June! We can't quite figure out if she's dumb or smart or so smart she's dumb... She has been doing much better about the chewing... when I'm home that is. When Sam's home with her in the mornings, she always finds something naughty to do. She's chewed pieces off my shoes, dragged textbooks out of Sam's backpack, chewed the coffee table and baseboards, etc... but her latest trick is getting pencils and pens out of Sam's backpack (which is turned around and zipped) and zipping it the pocket back up afterward. It's so bad but kind of funny too! Anyway, here are some pictures of Pepper to show you how much she's grown:

Last month I took a VERY quick trip up to Utah for a weekend. It was my Grandpa Gines' 75th birthday on October 13th and Sam surprised me with a ticket to go up for the party. Sam knows how much my grandpa means to me and how much it would mean to him to have me there. Since I was going to be there anyway, Zack decided to go through the temple that weekend as well! What a great day... Here are some pictures: At the temple Grandpa's Family Party: We made him a srapbook for his birthday! I decided to be the comic relief for my family and get in my wedding dress. I grabbed a plant on my way to surprise my mom and dad! They weren't that shocked because I used to put my prom dress on after school all of the time and sit and do my homework. I just feel so aweful that these beautiful expensive dresses only get worne once! I decided to not try my old prom dresses on this trip for fear of a rude awakening if they didn't fit!

While we were in Corpus, Zack received his mission call! When my mom got word that it would be delivered to the house the week they were going to be in Texas, she arranged for my Aunt Natalie to overnight it down to the condo. My mom was going nuts waiting for it that Thursday morning and had all of these plans to take video of the truck pulling up and everything. Zack came in to the condo and hung out for a bit and then said, "Well are you ready?" and pulled the envelope out. He had hid it tucked in the back of his shorts! It was a great experience to be there when he the MTC on opened it. He was called to serve in the Washington DC South mission and reports toDecember 19th. I am so proud of him and the good choices he has made.

We had our Partridge Family vacation in Corpus Christie, Texas, this past September. Since my sister and her family live in Dallas, my parents, brother and grandparents all came down and spent a week at a Corpus Christie time share. We had lots of fun! Here are some pictures: The condo we stayed in backed up to a bay. It was really nice having a view of the water! Amanda, mom & I lounging at the beach Zack being buried by Carly and Taylor Sam and Zack out playing with the kids (this was while I was writhing in pain from a Jelly Fish sting! Lounging at the pool... what a life! A nap for Carly after a big day in the sun. (Isn't she beautiful?!)