One year older...

Well, it's official!  I am one year older and hopefully wiser too!  I had my 24th birthday one week ago and it actually turned out to be a pretty great day.

First, rewind a few days and let me tell you about Thursday before my birthday.  I had a not-so-great Thursday at school and was somewhat stressed.  I got home only to find that Scott had baked me this beautiful, extremely yummy red velvet cake!  I was so happy that it almost made me cry, hah!  You see...this thing took effort to bake.  It was a two-tiered cake with frosting in the middle.  It was so good!  I was definitely surprised because my birthday was not until Saturday.  But Thursday was Scott's only day off this week so he had the time to do it then, so he did!  He sang an early Happy Birthday to me and I blew out some early candles :)  What a cutie pie...

Friday night, as Scott was getting home from work, he brought in the mail and we were pleasantly surprised to find two great envelopes from Scott's mom.  Inside of one of the envelopes was a gift certificate for dinner and a movie.  We were so excited we used it that night!  We went to a great dinner, and then to a movie (which we ended up not loving) but it was the perfect way to spend a date night--we had so much fun!  Thanks Jana--we love you!

Saturday was my actual birthday.  I was kinda bummed because Scott had to work this day, so I was planning on tidying up my house, doing some homework, and watching a chick flick or two.  Then, I got a great surprise--my mom called me and wanted to meet up in Ogden to do some shopping.  So I met my mom and Chelsea (and the cutest little boy in the world)  in Ogden and we were able to have a little girls day shopping and having lunch.  It was better than I thought possible.  We shopped a little bit and then it started snowing like mad, so our day was cut a little short.  We ate at Wingers (of course!) and enjoyed catching up.  I am so glad that my mom and Chelsea made the effort to come down and spend a day with me.  I love you guys!

He is saying cheese!

Late that night after Scott got home, he made me a great dinner and I opened a couple of presents that he got me.  He gave me a gift card to go shopping to one of my favorite stores, and two expansion packs for the all-time best game ever!  (Bang!)  He is so great--sometimes it scares me to know how much he knows me.  I sure love him.  We ended the night my favorite way--cuddling on our couch and just being together.  Great bday!  I have the best family and friends ever...I am so lucky.

SIX MONTHS!!!

*Warning--this post may be slightly sappy..so if you don't want to be subjected to it, you better stop here.*

Holy. Crazy.  Scott and I have been married for six months today!!!  I can't believe how fast the time has gone!  It does not seem like it has been that long already!  Even though we have only been married a short time, I can't imagine not having Scott in my life.  He is such a great husband and I am so lucky to be able to have him to depend on.  There has been a lot of changes in these first six months--moving to a new city, starting school, new jobs, etc... and he has stood by my side and has helped me through the hard times in my life.  I am so glad I made the decision to marry my best friend six months ago today!

A few things I love about being married:

*I don't have to say goodbye at the end of the night

*Sharing a bed--cuddling all night

*Coming home after work and school to hang out with my best friend

*There is always someone there to talk to

*...  :)

 I LOVE you Scott and look forward to the next bajillion years with you :)

CHRISTMAS 2011 = l.o.v.e - and - NEW YEARS

The holidays have come and gone.  And all I can say is that this time of year has been beyond amazing and wonderful!  I can't believe how blessed Scott and I are to have such wonderful families and friends.  Our hearts are overjoyed and full of love.

Prior to Christmas day--Scott and I have been reading the 12 days of Christmas to help us get into the Christmas spirit.  It is great to be able to focus on Christ and the miracle of his birth and life.  I have loved having the Christmas spirit in our home this season--We have done a couple other things leading up to Christmas and trying to make our own family traditions.  It has been fun and exciting and I have enjoyed every minute doing these things as husband and wife.

Scott and I decided to have our own Christmas together on Friday night, the 23rd.  Scott had to work Christmas eve and the day after Christmas so it worked out the best to have our Christmas early.  He got home from work, and we made dinner and treats to start our Christmas.  We had a lot of fun opening presents together.  Scott got a new xbox game, the Dexter seasons, and a ski pass from me, along with a few other smaller things put into his stocking.  Scott spoiled me by getting me beautiful pearl earrings from Needhams, Dolce and Gabana Light Blue perfume, and a couple new earrings along with lots of lotions and nail stuff in my stocking.  We also bought the game "Ticket to Ride" for our family.  We love playing that game together.  We then watched "Home Alone" and did a few smaller activities for a few laughs to finish our night.  I could not have asked for a better Christmas night for our first Christmas as a married couple. 

We drove up to Logan Christmas eve after Scott got off work and we were able to spend time with all of our families in a little over a day.  We spent time opening gifts, eating yummy food, being spoiled, playing games, and talking and catching up with loved ones--including Scott's brother Connor who is on a mission.  We had such a great time with family.  It reaffirms to me how blessed we are to have such a wonderful support system that is so close.

That was the gist of our festivities in a nutshell.  We left Christmas night to head home to SLC.  There is so many more things I could write about, like all the fun memories that were made, and how wonderful it was to spend time with each of our families.  Each one of our families is amazing in their own special ways and we are so glad we were able to spend time with them.  We truly feel blessed to have so many family members who care about us and love us.  It was so fun, I'm sad it was over so fast.

Before...

After...

After cont... (We were so spoiled)

We were able to spend New Years with our friends this year.  Our friends Brett and Chelsea were home for the holidays so we went out there and played games with them, and a bunch of our other best friends.  It was so fun to get the gang together again.  We played a bunch of games and reminisced on the good ol' days.  We miss them and it was so great to see everyone...

Me and my BFs

I was also able to spend some time with my family over the weekend, which is always a great time.  My mom is the best cook and makes the best treats for us.  It is fun to have the entire family together once in a while since it doesn't happen very often so it was fun to play games and hang out with them.  My family is so great, and I love them.

I wish we could have taken more pictures--but we forgot the camera when we were up in Logan :(  So all we have are before and afters.  Shoot.  Aside from the Fourth of July, the Christmas season is another favorite holiday of mine because of the spirit that floods my insides.  Christmas is a holiday centered on Christ--I am so thankful for the knowledge that I have of Christ and the miracle of His birth and life.  It is because of Him that I am able to live forever in happiness and have a forever family with Scott and our family.  He is my Savior, my Brother, my Friend, my Comforter, and I love Him.  The knowledge that I have brings me so much happiness in this life and so much comfort in hard times.  Christmas = love.  I hope I can keep this feeling in my heart throughout the year, and not just during the Christmas season.