Our Love Story!

Once upon a time there was a Boy and Girl in high school who occasionally sat at the same table during lunch! Prom was right around the corner and That Boy decided to ask That Girl to his Jr. Prom! They hadn't talked much before that, but they certainly had caught each other attention! That Boy thought it would be a good opportunity to get to know That Girl so with a teddy bear, a bucket of ice, and a sign that said, "It would be "beary ice" if you went to prom with me!" it was done they were going on a date and not any date the most important date up until that point in life! Prom! 

Since they were going to prom they thought it might be a good idea to start getting to know each other a bit better so they starting "hanging out" like teenagers do! 
Well... on one of the nights they were hanging out one thing led to another and That Girl ended up kissing That Boy! 
Yep you read that right! 
They kissed! Gross right? 
Then that night when That Boy was driving That Girl home, in his Camo Bronco II, this conversation happened (accompanied by the sound of awkward crickets in the back seat)! 

That Boy: So... does that mean we are boyfriend and girlfriend now! 

That Girl: Yep! That's what I got out of that! 

And that was that That Boy and That Girl were now "official" (they would have put if on facebook if there was facebook back then!) Romantic right? hahaha! 

That day just happened to be March 6th 2004 (this date will be important later on in the story)!

It might be sad to admit, but That Girl had the thought that they were only going to be official for a couple weeks! That Girl thought it was going to be one of those 2 week relationships that everyone has in high school! Lets be really, they didn't really know much about each other and they were teenagers! 
THANK GOODNESS That Girl was very wrong! 

The next weekend was Jr. Prom and That Boy and That Girl had a great time together! After prom That Girl and That Boy spent every second they could together! It didn't matter what they were doing they just wanted to be together all the time! (It drove their parents crazy!) Even if that meant helping each other with chores or babysitting their younger siblings!

On April 16th 2004 (yes only a little more than a month after their first kiss!) That Boy and That Girl had a conversation about LOVE! Neither one of them had been in love up to that point in their lives, but they thought they were in love with each other! They both confessed to each other "I think I love you!" and that's exactly what it was! It was love! 

What That Girl thought would only be a 2 week silly teenage relationship at first turned into a 6 month relationship and that turned into a year relationship and that turned into a 2 year relationship!

Through out those 2 years That Boy's and That Girl's parents thought at times that it would be better if they experienced dating other people, so with their "best" interest in mind they tried to get them to no longer be exclusive and see other people! (This wasn't because they didn't like That Girl and That Boy) It never worked! That Girl and That Boy were meant for each other even if it was both of their first serious relationship! There was nothing their parents could do! Eventually they realized this too and gave up! 

In April 2006 That Boy got his mission call to Fiji and in May 2006 That Girl graduated from high school which meant That Girl was off to college! They were both leaving home, but going to two very different places! That Boy and That Girl were going to be apart for 2 years! In August 2006 the time came for them to part ways! That Boy left at the beginning of that month the goodbye was the hardest thing they both have ever had to do! There were many many tears that happened that night and for many nights to come! They both knew, despite how hard it was to loose their bestfriend for two years, they were doing what was best for the both of them! 

At the end of that month That Girl left for college! That Girl couldn't wait to get away from everything that reminded her of That Boy! In two short years they would be back together the lessons they learned and experiences they had while apart would make up for the tearful nights and heart break to be apart! But right then it was just too hard to be surrounded by all those memories of That Boy! Moving away to college was the best thing That Girl could do! 

Many people told them that their love wasn't going to last! People tried to say, that That Girl was going to "Dear John" That Boy or That Boy was going to stop writing That Girl! That never happened! They wrote each other hand written letters every week! Letters that were encouraging and supportive letting each other know what experiences they were having and what memories they were making! Those letters where the highlight of their weeks even if they were on a 2-4 week delay because it took so long for the mail to go back and forth from New Caledonia and Utah!

I'm not sure if That Boy and That Girl could have done what they did in those 2 years if it wasn't for those letters every week!

On August 9th 2008 That Boy came home from New Caledonia! On August 10th That Boy and That Girl were back together again for the first time in 2 years! Despite everyones speculation about how their relationship would never last through the mission it did! Seeing each other for the first time in 2 years was a bundle of different emotions! Of course they were excited and nervous, but they were also unsure, anxious, and it was a bit awkward as well! hahaha! (Boy's are so weird and awkward when they get home from their missions!) That night they went for a drive to just talk and get somethings out in the open! Mid sentence That Boy laid a big fat one on That Girl! Their second first kiss! (Gross I know!) Catching That Girl completely off guard especially since That Boy asked That Girl to scoot over because she was sitting to close to him early that day! hahaha! 

So things pretty much started off right where they ended except now they could talk about their future with one another without saying, "After your mission!" They could really talk about getting married and it could really happen now! This fact was surreal and a bit overwhelming! 

On September 24th 2008 That Boy finally got the ring and it was burning a huge hole in his pocket! He was so excited to give it to That Girl he skipped basketball, drove up to her house, and asked her to marry him! The proposal wasn't well thought out, but it was cute that That Boy was so excited to give That Girl the ring that he couldn't think of anything very creative or romantic to do! He just wanted to give That Girl the ring and make her his fiancée!

The date they picked to make it forever was March 6th 2009! ( Remember that date that I told you would be important at the beginning of this story?) Exactly 5 years from their first kiss and making things "official"! That Boy and That Girl entered into the Mount Timpanogos Temple and made things more than official they made things eternal! 
FINALLY! 

Life for them together couldn't be better! Their love for each other grows every day! They have accomplished many great things together, but their greatest accomplishment is their family which has grown from 2 to 4! They have added a beautiful little girl and a very handsome little boy to their family in the past 4 years of marriage! 

They still can't believe that this all started almost a decade ago! High school feels like just yesterday! 

They look forward to what their future holds! They know that they have some great things ahead! And they know that whatever comes their way good or bad they will make it though because they have each other! Nothing can break what they have! It's real! It's true! And it's AMAZING! 

Braeden! I love you so much! I'm the luckiest girl in the world because I get to snuggle up to you every night and fall fast asleep! You are my other half and I can't imagine life without you! What we have is special! 
HAPPY 4 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! : ) 

Missionaries in Training

Alright, so my kids were just too cute a couple Sundays at church so I had to take some pictures! : ) 

Emeri all ready for church with Daddy's scripture case full of toys! : ) 

(Little missionary in the training!!???)

Kyler being a stud during sacrament meeting! 

(The other little missionary in training!?)

And playing with Dad during Sunday School!

I'm glad there is one day during the week that we all get up and get ready because too often Emeri, Kyler and, I are in our pajamas all day! It's hard for me to get everyone ready if we don't have anywhere to go! It just creates more laundry for me to do! But I really shouldn't think that way! It's a problem and I'm working on it! : ) 

Siblings

Aren't siblings the best? 

I love all of my siblings blood and in-laws! I can't imagine what my life would be like without all of them!

Siblings are always there for you and always will be! 

I remember my parents always telling us, when we were fighting, that we were going to be my best friends one day! 

They were right! My siblings are definitely my best friends!  

And best of all you know, despite the rest of the world, they "get you"! 

In the short 4 1/2 months that Kyler has been here Emeri and Kyler have become great friends! 

Emeri always wants to wake up Kyler from his naps to play! 

And sometimes she does despite my best efforts to keep her from doing so!

Kyler can't look at Emeri without smiling! 

He loves her so much!

 He's also very patient with her and all the "helping out" she does! 

She always wants to hold him, feed him, change is diaper etc.! 

I love watching how silly they are with each other and their friendship grow! 

And yes Kyler is almost as big as Emeri! 

Draw and Paint

My Dad and Kris have an art studio in Murray and we love going there and spending time with them!

(Mesa Art Studio)

And when we go Emeri's not the only one that gets to do art! My Dad and Kris also help out with the kiddos so I can paint!

 I LOVE IT! 

Especially painting with watercolors! 

It's so relaxing! 

I love going there, but I'm pretty sure Emeri loves it even more than I do! 

She loves going to "draw and paint with gampa" and will talk about it for days afterwards! 

Her tongue is out in this picture! She's concentrating very hard! 

And of course when she paints she not only paints her paper, but she paints herself as well!

Here are some of her latest art pieces! 

We are overflowing with artwork at our house! 

It's hanging in her room, on the fridge, and on the front door! 

But I wouldn't want to decorate with anything else! : )  

Here's my latest painting! I can't wait until we can find time to go down again so I can start another one! : )  

If you are interested in Art lessons contact my Dad and Kris by clicking here!

They do an amazing job!

Glass Flowers

For Christmas this year Alex and Matt (my sister and brother-in-law) gave Braeden and I a certificate that said:

GIFT CERTIFICATE

This certificate entitles you to a double date activity that you are sure to remember. 

*Valid Saturday afternoons now through June.

*Must be a child free time and date scheduled in advance.

*Promised to be fun, unique and memorable.

We had no idea what the date was going to be, but knowing my sister if she said it was going to be fun, unique and memorable than that's just what it's going to be!

We finally found a time earlier this month when neither of our kids were sick, husbands weren't working, and babysitters were available! 

 I was excited because, one I love hanging out with my sister without kiddos it very rarely happens that we can be together and not be distracted, two I love going on dates with Braeden, three I like surprises, and four I knew it was going to fun! (five Matt I like hanging out with you too!) : ) 

We followed my sister knowing it was at Thanksgiving point, but not knowing what we were doing and pulled up here!

Holdman Studios!

I now knew it had to do something with art and I got really excited when I saw glass blowing!

When we got out of the car Alex told us we would be making glass flowers!

How cool is that? And how cool is my sister for taking us on this super fun date? 

LOVE HER!

We had a minute before we started so we got to walk around the gallery where there were some really cool glass pieces! (I want to remember this because it was hilarious so I'm going to include it) While we were walking around Matt almost tipped over a whole shelf full of glass pieces! (It makes me laugh just thinking about it!) hahahaha! Thankfully nothing fell off or broke! : ) 

They also do all the stained glass windows for all the Temples here and you can walk around the studio and see all the different pieces they are working on! 

It was pretty cool! 

When it was our time to make the flowers they showed us how to make one and than we were on!

Alex went first!

Then Matt.

Then Braeden

And I was last because I could not decide what colors to do! : ) 

It didn't take long! It was a really fast process! The glass cooled really fast so we had to be quick! And boy was it HOT! 

After we were done they immediately went and put them in an oven so they cooled slowly and didn't break! That was the worst part because you couldn't tell what it was going to look like while it was hot! The colors don't really show up until it cools and you have to leave it there over night! : ( You pretty much dream up this flower, make it, and leave without seeing it! Not cool! : ) I was so excited to see the finished products that I dreamt about them! : ) (Pathetic I know)

Luckily you don't have to wait at least 24 hours to see them!

Here are our finished flowers!

Alex's

Matt's

Braeden's

(The top color is more a lime green not yellow! It didn't picture well!)

And Jenni's

Pretty cool right? 

We think so! 

I'm not sure what we are going to do with them? 

But one day when I have a house to decorate I know I can find a place to display them! : ) 

If you ever get a change to go to Holdman Studio or if you're just at Thanksgiving Point  you should stop by and just look around! It's really neat to see all the stuff they have there and the stained glass window studio! 

Thanks Alex and Matt for the fun, unique, and memorable date!

And thank you Taya and Dave for watching the kiddos!

When Daddy Comes Home

Braeden is Emeri's favorite person on this planet! 

She is definitely a Daddy's girl! 

She loves him so much and prefers him over anyone else including me! : ) 

And I completely understand! I am a Daddy's girl myself! 

• Anytime we are heading home from running errands or whatever she always asks if Daddy will be home!
• Today when we here leaving the grocery store she said she was hungry so I told her we would go home and have lunch and she asked if we could go have lunch with Daddy at work instead! 
• He's the only person she bits! : ) She know she can go all out and beat up Daddy and he loves it! 
• In the mornings when she wakes up she asks if Daddy is home or if he is at work!
• She loves playing with him every second she can! 
• Daddy has the special touch when it comes to calming her down! (most the time sometimes she's just out of control!) 
• I don't know what it is, but she listens to him way better than me! 

These are just a few of the cute things she does when it come to her Daddy! 

I love watching them play and I love that they have such a great relationship! 

This girl is lucky to have such an awesome Daddy! 

And Braeden is lucky to have such an awesome Emeri! : ) 

(I had to include this picture too! Check out this hair from the back!)

All About Ky!

Kyler had his 4 month check up on Monday! 

He is now weighing in at 16 pounds 1 ounce

He is 26.5 inches long

And has a head circumference of 17 inches

Instead of being off the chart completely for his weight he is now in the 80th percentile! 

He has gained exactly 1 pound in the last 2 months!

He is now in the 90th percentile for his height and at his 2 month check up he was only in the 75th!

He is still a very big boy but he is thinning out which kind of makes me sad! 

I love my chunky chunky monkey! 

Now I just have a chunky monkey!

Thank goodness his cheeks aren't going any where soon!

This Boy gives the best smiles!

At the appointment Emeri was being the best big sister! 

Anytime Kyler cried she would tell him that it was going to be ok! 

And when he got his shots she sat next to him on the table, held his hand, and told him that it was only going to hurt a little bit! 

It was the cutest thing ever!

I wish I got some pictures, but I didn't have enough hands!

She is the best big sister! 

Kyler just adores her! 

This is his "really mom!" look!

We did get some more news at the doctor that makes things a bit more difficult!

The doctor now thinks Kyler has a soy allergy to go along with his milk allergy! 

30% of kids that have a milk allergy also develop a soy allergy! 

Thankfully most kids grow out of it, but for now it restricts my diet even more! 

It's not forever so I think I can handle it! : ) 

Other than that he is as healthy as they come! 

Just a collage of some of his silly faces!

 Enjoy!

The bottom left is my favorite! : ) 

Kyler and I get our snuggles on every morning when Braeden gets up and goes to work!

I love waking up to this cute face every morning! 

Kyler always has his hand in his mouth chewing on it!

It's is second favorite thing to chew on Braeden's shoulder being number one!

He can soak through a hoodie and shirt in no time! 

Kyler hasn't rolled over yet! 

I think by now most kiddos are to that point!

I know Emeri was!

Definitely not worried about it! : ) 

But I think he hasn't yet for two reasons!

One being the fact that he's chubby and it's kind of hard to move!

And two being that we don't put him down as much as we did Emeri because we have Emeri and we have to protect him from his very loving smothering sister! 

: )

Giving mom smiles during tummy time!

I'm in love with this little boy more that I ever thought I could be! 

I'm so grateful for healthy kiddos! : )