My Dear, Sweet, Sugar Plum, Love Bug Graduate Girl!

Done, Finished, Complete, All Inclusive, Total. . .Callie is a college graduate. Lucky! Callie, you are so cool, and I am pretty jealous. I am so proud of you! This is big, real big! Why so big? First off, it is just awesome. Second, your textbook buy back money gets to go towards my books. Third, you now have more free time to ski. Fourth, you worked so hard. I have been so impressed how passionate you are about what you are studying. Your papers were amazing, and I have learned a lot from you. The greatest thing I have learned is the importance of seeking the things you are most passionate about. I am excited for our future and for all of the many wonderful things we will do, see, and probably eat together. You are my buddy, my pal, and my love bug. I love you to the fullest!

Here she is off to school for the last time. She doesn't even have to register for classes next semester. So Jealous!

It's Christmas Time in the City!

I've been meaning to post this for a while now, but we got our Christmas tree and other Christmas festivities all set up! Once again, we just got an itty-bitty!

In addition to the tree, i made Mark a new Christmas countdown. If you remember last years, Mark got to open a new "gift" everyday until Christmas, in each gift there was a new coupon to use. This year, there is a new activity/adventure to do everyday! It is so wonderful!

So here is the countdown. Everyday Mark opens a new envelope telling him what we are going to do that day.

so far we have read several Christmas books, had an egg nog taste test, made cookies, gone for a winter walk, and more. (they will get more exciting once we are done with school and have some time!)

For the countdown i got a bunch of wonderful Christmas books from the library

the nativity

the final tree set up

Merry Christmas!

In-N-Out

So, In-N-Out has finally come to Utah. And with this grand occurrence, Mark has been very excited. Although the lines have been atrocious we managed to go once around 11:00 pm when they weren't quite as bad.

Mark has been so excited about In-N-Out that it is even being manifested in my dreams. a couple nights ago i had a dream that Mark wanted to be part of In-N-Out so bad that i found him washing their dishes. I went up to him and asked if he was even being paid for this, to which he replied "yes, I'm getting $2 an hour." Then, the guy washing dishes next to him turned around and said "WHAT??!!! You're getting paid??!!!!" Then this other dishwasher guy got so mad that he started to fight Mark. But my main man can throw a mean punch and that guy was down before he knew what happened! Oh the power of In-N-Out!

Thanks Day

We spent Thanksgiving with Mark's family this year. Here is our day in pictures!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at the American Fork house.

Katrina did all of the decor and set up! It was gorgeous!

the candlelit fireplace

Wendy made these great coloring/activity packets for the kids to color in this room. (they are on the table)

Yummy gumballs!

The hot chocolate station!

The dining tables! My favorite!

MMMMMM!!!

Here is my main man prepping for some yummy dutch oven!

Getting the food!

Mark checking on the progress of his masterpiece!

Wendy and I taking a break from cooking to snap some pics!

My love and me!

After dinner we all played some games.

first we played a Thanksgiving trivia game

Then we moved on to some Thanksgiving pictionary

We had a great time, with great people, and great food!

BYU v. Air Force

Saturday we went to the BYU game with Mark's brother Steven and nephew Matthew. Don't mind my hair, I came straight from an overnight trip.

We might have to go to all of the games next season just so we can have access to these! This here is a "Cougar Tail". It is about a foot and a half long maple bar doughnut. Amazing!

Matthew enjoying his frozen lemonade. It was cold out, but he insisted.

Gets Him Every Time!

Every time this commercial comes on Mark giggles, then laughs, then has to lean on the wall for support. EVERY TIME!!!

Two Five

I thought I would take a moment and share about my swell birthday month so far. Friday the 13th we had a Boy Scout camp out. I didn't really want to sleep in the cold for my birthday, but I wanted to continue my quest for dutch oven perfection. We enjoyed a wonderful soup, Parmesan rolls, and a classic cherry cobbler. I cooked dinner and then took off for my love bug, and my bed.

Enjoying the cobbler

What?!!! A birthday card from Condorman! Ok, Ok, I found the card and tested out my cursive. I got the classic eye roll from Callie. . .happens every time I bring up the winged warrior. One day I will convince her that Condorman really is a good movie.

We started the day off with some amazing Bisquick danish's, and then we went to Sandy for a little party. Mom, Dad, Callie, and I had lunch at Food For Thought. It was very much tasty! Then we went for a little birthday shopping. I wanted a new white dress shirt and black dress shoes. I think I was just meant to wear a french cuff, I feel so fancy. My shoes are superb as well. Maybe we can take a picture some time.

We ended the day with a movie and ice cream. What more could a kid want for a birthday party? It was a wonderful day. And I got two new little ones to uncle! Madeline 11/13 and Alex 11/17. November is no longer just about the turkey and I. Thank you for all of the wonderful birthday songs and wishes. I am loved.

Birthday Month

I went to change my background to a Thanksgiving one today, but Mark insisted that we have a birthday one to celebrate his birthday month. I tried to talk him into a "birthday week" background, but he was pretty set on "birthday month."

So here is to you my love! Happy Birthday Month!

(Plus, how can you resist this face??)

And just to start the month off with a bang, here are the top 50 reasons why i love Mark!


He is:
1. Sweet
2. Caring
3. Thoughtful
4. Considerate
5. Clean
6. Helpful (in all situations)
7. Generous
8. Funny
9. Service Oriented
10. Dedicated
11. Hard Working
12. Efficient
13. Faithful
14. Cute
15. Good Memory
16. Smile
17. You Like My Cookin'!
18. Smart
19. Follow-Through
20. Time-Management
21. Frugal
22. Goal Setter
23. Family Oriented
24. Supportive
25. Understanding
26. Kind
27. Loyal
28. Curious
29. Good Dresser
30. Good ...
31. Loving
32. Help Around the House
33. Good Listener
34. Planner
35. Likes Good Music
36. Interesting
37. Wonderful (in every way)
38. Good Taste
39. Strong
40. Good Kisser (when he wants to)
41. Fun
42. Make Me Better
43. Well Rounded
44. Likes Outdoors
45. Talented
46. Exceeds my Expectations
47. Observant (Obsental??)
48. Wants to be a Little Kid
49. Great Bod
50. He Loves Me Back!

Happy Birthday Month Sweet! I love you forever!

The Best Two Years..... Ever!

I'm a slacker and never posted our anniversary. It was October 11th. We had a pretty low key day. We kept up with tradition and spent part of the day in Park City. Here we are making a quick stop at Bridal Veil Falls. It was very windy, so that is why my hair is so funky... FYI.

The cutest boy in the world!

When we were driving in PC we saw this tree will all these shoes on it and thought it was awesome!

We went to lunch, walked around Main st. and then got some dessert at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Mark got a chocolate dipped ice cream and i had the best caramel apple i have ever had in my entire life! mmmmm.

here is Mark so sad that his ice cream is gone.

It was a great great time! I'm so lucky i have been able to spend the last two years with this boy and i can't wait for forever!

Dreams

This is Mark Chiming in. . .You see, I have been thinking recently about some things that I have always thought would be cool to do/see/be, but thought were somewhat inaccessible. Let me give you four of many ideas about what I am talking about.

First, I was raised knowing that James Bond was the coolest (besides Condorman), and that I needed to drive his kind of car. I have decided that maybe I never will own an Aston Martin, but I need to drive one for a day at some point.

Second, due to my love for skiing, I have always wanted to heliski. I don't need to jump 30 feet out of the helicopter onto a cliff of Alaskan snow, but I want to take a helicopter to the top of some mountain to ski down.

Third, I want to drive a Big-Rig! Just give me the open road and let me have at it for an hour.

Fourth, I know El Camino's may seem ugly to some, not I, I think it would be the coolest to get an old one and restore it to its amazing glory.

Needless to say, I have some interesting things on my list of things I want to do. Now how in the world can I make it happen? The Aston Martin dealership in Scottsdale, AZ wouldn't even let me touch the Vanquish. Jumping out of a helicopter to ski just sounds expensive. I don't want to have to get my CDL to drive a Big-Rig. I ski, I golf, I study, I don't restore cars.

Some of the coolest things out there seem just that, out there! I want to do a little research project with the help of those of you that read this. Post to this message or email Callie or I one or two or ten of your dreams. I want to see what I can find out to make it more accessible.

If your dream sounds silly, don't worry, I like El Camino's

Mark

Dinner Catastrophe

So yesterday Mark and I were in a hurry! We were doing laundry, had to go to mutual, trying to arrange for our carpets to be cleaned (we have lived in our apartment for almost 2 years!!!),and trying to set up interviews for church. And in the middle of all of that, we had to have dinner. We decided on sloppy joes. because honestly, who doesn't love slopppppy joes? (and not to mention they are fast.) So i set out to make dinner while Mark was making calls. I finished cooking the meat and both Mark and I went to get the laundry (have i mentioned how much i HATE not having my own washer and dryer?? HATE HATE HATE!!!!).

When we were walking back into the apartment i was so excited to walk in the door and smell glorious sloppy joe meat! I walked in and was immediately very confused. I didn't smell sloppy joes at all! it was very very different. So i walked over to my meat and realized what i had done. I made taco meat. I dont know how that happened! so after some serious laughing and me being a bit heart broken and disappointed ( i believe my exact words were "i don't want no stinkin' tacos!") we had nachos instead!

And, i earned the award for the dorkiest cook of all time. Apparently i should not be allowed in the kitchen while under pressure.

Cupcakes and Kool Aid

As is beginning to be tradition in our family, Mark and I went for a "Sunday drive" last night. It was much shorter than normal because i just couldn't wake up from my nap. So, i ended up sleeping for 3 hours more than planned. (yes, i took a 4 hour nap and it was wonderful!) So by the time i got up, fixed dinner, and hung out for a while, it was time for bed. But i just HAD to have my Sunday drive with Mark.

So in order to convince him to take me even though it was so late, i told him we could take some cupcakes and Kool-Aid.
That was all it took.

So we drove to the Y parking lot and ate our cupcakes and Kool-Aid while we beheld the splender that is Provo at night. It would have been much more romantic if it weren't for all the BYU student who had the same idea. (except i would venture that we were the only ones cool enough to have cupcakes and Kool-Aid.)


anyway, it was lovely. Everyone needs to experinece the joy that is cupcakes and Kool-Aid


P.S. I managed to get "cupcakes and Kool-Aid" in this post 4 (now 5) times. It's just so fun to say!