Denver

Although most of you probably already know (as I am not very good at keeping secrets), I had an interview with the EPA in Denver this past Wednesday. They flew me in in the morning and I had my interview from 12:00-3:30 and then I flew back to Salt Lake that night. I was pretty calm about the whole thing...until I woke up the morning of. Then, I was a total nervous wreck. The nerves mostly had to do with the fact that not only was it an interview, I had to give a presentation. That wouldn't have been all that bad, as I am used to giving presentations, but they also had about 12 toxicologists from the region sit in on my presentation. That was a little unnerving. But I would have to say....I think I rocked the interview! I felt really good about it and now I am just waiting to see if I hear back from them. Please keep your fingers crossed for me!

Anyway, the EPA building is really nice, as it is brand new and totally green. They even won a LEED Silver certification and an Energy Star award for energy efficiency. All of the cubicles have movable walls and lots of storage space. Here are a few pictures of the building (perhaps my future place of employment?.....)





Needless to say, it was a LONG day and my feet were KILLING me by the time I got home that night. It is crazy to think that I woke up in Salt Lake City, spent the day in Denver, and went to sleep in Salt Lake City....and walked around the city all day in heels. You gotta love being a woman!

The best part of all is that there is a really cool, ecclectic bookstore right across the street. It is called the "Tattered Cover" and literally had thousands of books in it. I went there after my interview to unwind and buy myself a book as a reward. I got "The Kite Runner", which everyone has said great things about. Jeff is going to start it first (I am in the middle of another book), so I will let you know what he thinks of it.

Great Salt Lake State Marina

We have been looking for some places in the area to take the dogs out for some good times. On Friday, I found the Great Salt Lake State Marina website on the internet. It looked really pretty and said that dogs were allowed, so on Saturday, we packed up Kira and Koda and made our way there. One of the best parts was that the dogs could be off leash...a good thing for Kira, but a no no for Mr. Koda. Kira loved being free and was very careful not to get too far in front of us....Koda, on the other hand, found a way to cause trouble, even on the leash! It was really pretty and there were not a lot of people around, so it was very quiet and relaxing. First, we walked the dogs around and let them explore a little.....





After we went down to the beach and played for a little while, we decided to put down a blanket and enjoy the weather for a bit. We settled under a nice, big shady tree and had some water and snacks. While we were relaxing, Taz, a sweet dog who belongs to a DNR worker came over to hang out and play with Kira and Koda. She is a beautiful dog that just hangs out at the park and watches over everyone there. Kira and Koda enjoyed her company!





She was such a good dog that we shared some treats with her, including a rawhide and some bones. She really liked that! Anyway, it was a nice day outside for all of us and the dogs really seemed to have a good time...they slept the entire way home. Here are some more pictures of our day at the marina!

Sunday Yard Fun!!

It was such a pretty weekend that Jeff and I decided to work out in the yard. Of course, Kira and Koda had to also be outside to enjoy the nice warm day. Jeff mowed the lawn while I fertilized it, and then we started patching dead spots in the yard where grass won't grow. We are trying to get the yard looking nice (everyone's around us looks really green and plush), but the people who had the house before us didn't take care of it, so it has been quite the battle. Hopefully, with all our hard work today, the advantage will be in our favor. Anyway, here are some pictures of our day in the yard!






We had been so productive in the yard that we decided "why stop there?" and gave Kira and Koda baths...Kira got one outside (she LOVES outside baths because she gets to run around and chase the water from the hose) and Koda got one in the bathtub. Koda howls the entire time he is in the tub, so the police would probably be called on us for animal abuse if we tried to give him one outside. Although they are not too fond of baths when they are having them, the end product is always nice....clean and pretty dogs. Here they are after the bath waiting patiently (or maybe not so patiently) for their treat....vanilla ice cream!

This explains a lot!

My friend Kristi sent this and boy, is it a spitting image of a certain little Shiba Inu that lives with us (or should I say we live with him). Well, this would explain why Koda keeps getting fired from his jobs......

The Salt Lake Bees Game

As most of you know, Jeff got a new job at a company named DeltaValve in South Jordan. Although he didn't officially start until May 12, they called him last week and asked if he wanted to participate in the company's fun day. They rented out Frnaklin Covey Field for the day and had team building exercises for the employees. Jeff got to field catches and swing the bat on the field. They even bought each employee a whole baseball outfit- from pants to jersey (with his last name embroidered on the back) to socks to hat to even a belt! He had a really good time and got to meet some other employees, which should help alleviate the "first day of work" jitters. After that, they brought in Dale Murphy, who played for the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies back in the day. He was the NL MVP in 1982 and 1983 and he stayed around to autograph all the employees goodies. Jeff really had a blast.

After that, the company purchased tickets to the Bees game for all the families. It was really a fun night out for us, especially since I love baseball. But, more importantly, it seems that Jeff has FINALLY hooked up with a good company. I wish him the best in his new job!

The Best of Friends

When we first decided to get another dog, both Jeff and I worried that Kira would have problems adjusting, being that she was an only dog for about three and half years. However, after we went back and forth, we decided to do it and came back with Koda bug during a Christmas visit to Florida. I now know we made the right decision in bringing Koda into ours (and Kira's) life........they are the best of friends.

Last night Jeff and I were upstairs watching Lost and getting ready for bed, when we saw this.....

I couldn't believe that Jeff had time to run and get the camera so we could capture it. Koda laid his head on Kira's back for a really long time; at one point, I think they both fell asleep. But not before I got to get into the picture.....

Great times that I always cherish with my two "babies"!

Everything Chrissy.....

50 Questions about Chrissy…I know, I know, you all have been DYING to know all about me, huh? Well, here goes….

1. Song that always makes you sad? “Don’t Cry Out Loud” by Melissa Manchester (don’t ask me why, but Baby going to the circus makes me cry hysterically even to this day. My brother normally calls me when he hears it on XM radio and teases me about it (which is way too often if you ask me))

2. Last thing you bought? A new water filter and some seeds for planting my garden this weekend from Lowe’s

3. Last person you argued with? I can’t remember, it’s been so long (I know you don’t believe it but it’s true!)

4. Do you put butter on toast before putting the jelly on? Always, except on bagels, then I only want jelly (strange, huh?)

5. One of your stuffed animals' names as a kid? Not a stuffed animal, but a blanket named Pillow B Billow. My mom took it away from me when I was about to go to kindergarten and the next time I saw it (years later) she was using it as a dust cloth! I was soooo mad!

6. Did you ever own at one time an ‘Nsync CD? Heck no

7. Favorite day of the week? Saturday, or any other day that I get to sleep in

8. Favorite Sundae topping? Strawberry

9. Favorite fruits? Strawberries, peaches, and watermelon

10. Most frequent song played? Definitely not “Don’t Cry Out Loud”!

11. T.V. show you secretly enjoy? Big Brother

12. Favorite scents? Fresh baked bread….yummy!

13. Date someone older or younger? Not that I date anymore (Jeff is really glad to hear this) but…always older

14. One place you could travel right now? African safari or Grenada

15. Favorite time of the day? Anytime I am not at work….but generally early mornings!

16. Do you know all the words to the national anthem? Certainly, isn’t it unpatriotic not to?

17. Something you're wearing right now? Trouser jeans and a striped shirt (work clothes)

18. Favorite holiday? Christmas, although I love to cook for Thanksgiving

19. Blonde or Brunette? Redhead…we’re spunky and scrappy

20. Best job you ever had? Definitely not the one I am currently at….so I’ve never had a GREAT job (not yet, anyways)

21. Did you go to your high school prom? Of course, although I wish I could forget it

22. Perfect time to wake up? 9:00, although in order to get work on time it is 4:40 am

23. Perfect time to go to bed? By 10:00, but only because I get up so early

24. Favorite soda? Coke

25. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, but not in a while (thank goodness)

26. Closer to mom or dad...or neither? Extremely close to my mom; we’re the best of friends!

27. Who would you want on a deserted island with you? Jeff, Kira, and Koda (the dogs because they make me laugh, which would help the time to go by faster)

28. Have you been bungee jumping? No, and I am not sure I would ever go

29. Favorite ice cream flavor? Edy’s Double chocolate fudge brownie

30. Do you have an article of clothing you have had since you were in high school? No way

31. Did you play high school sports? I played soccer for a year

32. Have you watched sex and the city? Never

33. Fun place you lived? Anderson, South Carolina (very close to Clemson University- big college town)

34. Wet the toothbrush or brush dry with the toothpaste? Has to be wet, but only AFTER the toothpaste is on it

35. Blue or black ink? Blue

36. Have you ever gambled at a casino? Yes, and one day I am gonna win big……

37. Do you scream on roller coasters? Depends how scary they are…

38. What alcoholic beverage did you drink when you got drunk for the first time? Shots of 151 rum in the kitchen of Jeff’s parents house with his brother, Joe (we were trying to see who could drink who under the table….he won)

39. What was your first job? Sales associate at Bugle Boy in the outlet mall

40. What was your first car? Metallic blue Chrysler Laser

41. What was the last movie you saw? The Bucket List on the plane coming home from Atlanta on Friday

42. How old were you when you first moved away from your hometown? 23, when I officially moved to Clemson and started graduate school

43. Who was your first grade teacher? Mrs. Braden

44. When you snuck out of your house for the first time, who was it with? I never snuck out, but snuck boys in (I know, bad)

45. Who was your first Best Friend and are you still friends with them? Crystal Turner; I still talk to her occasionally, but we are not super close any more

46. Where did you live the first time you moved out of your parent's house? Anderson, South Carolina

47. Who is the first person you call when you have a bad day? Jeff, whether he wants to hear it or not!

48. What is the first thing you do in the morning? Say ALREADY?, turn off the alarm, and brush my teeth (I can’t stand morning breath)

49. What was the first concert you attended? New Kids on the Block (I waited in line all night with some friends for tickets)….hey, they are going on tour again…..memories!

50. First celebrity crush? Christian Slater (what a hottie)

Just a normal night in the McNaughton house

I came out of the shower tonight and this is what I see downstairs....





Jeff and Kira just hangin' out watching TV on the couch. How cute! And, because I had a cute one of Kira, of course I had to add one of Koda doing what he likes to do best.....




Is my family lazy or what?

My home...for 2 weeks!

As some of you may know, I just returned from a two week training in Atlanta. Although the training was good and something I will use in my job, it was really hard to be away from Jeff and the puppies for that long. It is hard to believe that I am the same girl who lived in another state from Jeff the majority of the time we were dating and engaged (and even for three months after we were married!); I now hate to be apart from him. Anyway, here are some pictures of my hotel on the campus of Emory University...my home away from home for 12 LONG days and nights.

And finally...one of me being silly right before I checked out of the hotel and headed home (can you tell that I had spent way too long alone in a hotel room?)