strawberry

We took a camping trip to Strawberry Resevior last weekend and it was a wonderful time. It was quite cold at night which, I believe, has caused the terrible cold I am experiencing now. It was worth it though. Some highlights:

-talking in the truck while the boys set up the tent and made a fire.
-a wonderful nights sleep
-sleeping in while the boys went fishing
-making delicious breakfast burritos
-napping in the tent during a rainstorm (that has to be one of the best things ever)
-jumping pictures :)
-fishing (brrrr!)
-tin foil dinners & smores
-the most fantastic view of the moon & stars



practicing with my new camera remote..

okay, I admit it..

This is the most dorky post I have or probably ever will post. But, aren't these mother's day cards cute?? :)

a surprise party for mister

With the help of my wonderful friends and family, I threw Jared a (fantastic) surprise birthday party. (It was mostly fantastic because of the amazing people we know)

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of our friends who came to celebrate with us and to surprise Jared! I am so grateful for all of you. Jared and I, we are so lucky. It also wouldn't have been a success without my parents helping me with stalling. Coldstone, Men's Warehouse, Deseret Book...

It was a wonderful night. Happy 25th Birthday, Jared.
A few things I love about the birthday boy:

-He makes me laugh everyday.
-He can make up a song about anything and they are always so clever!
-He loves using analogies.
-He is nice to everyone he meets. I love his acceptance of others.
-He is good at dancing "gangsta style".
-He supports my dreams and ambitions.
-He is going to be the best dad. I love watching him with our nursery babies.
-When my world feels upside down, he knows how to calm me down and make me happy.
-He often carries me up the stairs to bed.. although he once tripped and gave me concussion doing this, we continue and he watches his step. :)
-He doesn't mind going to Cafe Rio or Costa Vida with me weekly.

(pictures taken by our good friend, Trav)

happy mothers day.

(photo taken in 2006)

Happy Mother's Day, Mama. I am so blessed to have you as my mother and friend. You have been a rock for me for 22 years and I don't know what I would do without you.

kris (my sweet mother in-law), grandmothers, aunts, cousins, friends.. Happy Mother's Day. I love you all!


"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

If you haven't been introduced..

This is 'Nie' but, her real name is Stephanie Nielsen. She is one of the most influential people I have ever encountered, and we've never even met. This is Nie's blog. My recommendation: turn on some Thriving Ivory (one of my favorite bands) and read deep deep into the archives. I did exactly that one day in September 2008 and really (honestly, truly) have been changed for the better. Hers is an amazing story and she is an amazing woman. When I dream of motherhood, I dream of being like Nie.