Decorating

Well, after a lot of looking we finally found some new couches! We have spent so much time getting our yard done, that now we can focus on the inside. We love them! Joe can rock and recline. I told him that I probably will be sleeping a lone from now on. Which happens unless I wake him up and tell him to come to bed. Here is a pic of them.

I hope to get to some more painting of walls soon!

We enjoyed spending Thanksgiving with Joe's family. I know I wasn't too much fun because I just came off working a night shift, but I was glad we could go.

I finally got to putting up the Christmas decorations today. For some reason, I haven't been too excited about it this year. I've decided though that I definetely need to go to the after Christmas sales! Pretty much all of our decorations are stuff our parents gave us. Which is great, but I think its time for some new stuff. Here is a picture of what I got to today.

Long Time No Post

Well, after a few people getting after me, I decided to update the blog. I just never know what to post. We aren't that exciting.

We did a lot this summer; especially in our yard. Joe's family helped us put in a sprinkler system in our backyard and we got our fence put up. Here's some pictures. We love it! Xander especially!

Joe has put in a lot of time. I really appreciate his hard work. He also put seed in and built a brick wall in our front yard around the flower bed.

We also went to Ouray Colorado with Joe's whole extended family. Here are some pics:

I think Roper and I stick out like a sore thumb with our blonde hair. I looks like he should be our child. :)

After putting soil in our yard a few weeks ago, one of Joe's co-workers invited us to go boating with him at Utah Lake. Here's pics of Joe water skiing. He did really well considering that we rarely go boating. It was a fun; quick activity.

We also went camping with my family up near Kamas, UT. For some reason I do not have any pictures of it. :(

This last weekend, Joe let me get away with some ladies from work and we went to Las Vegas. We enjoyed plenty of shopping the show "O" at the Bellagio. It was a lot of fun!

I also recently started grooming Xander's hair by myself. Here is a picture of how he turned out today.

Fun In The Yard

We are experiencing the joys of owning a home and the many projects there are to do. This weekend, Joe and I built a retaining wall in our backyard in preparation of putting a fence in. It's going to be walkway from the side of our garage into the backyard.

Here are the pictures as we went:



Before

After

Other than do the retaining wall, we just enjoyed both being off of work for a couple of days. I had to work on the night of the fourth. The joys of healthcare. It was busy!!! Only one burn though from fireworks. During the day we had a barbeque with our neighbors and enjoyd mini-golf and go- carts with my sister Carrie.

To Sammy

SAMMY

On our way home from Joe's Valley this last Monday, I had a message to call my parents. They told me that my childhood dog Sammy was not doing very well. He was 14 years old and suddenly couldn't walk much. His hind legs gave out and my parents were having to carry him outside frequently so that he could go the bathroom. They told me there probably wasn't much time left. So, Joe and I rushed home and went to see Sammy one last time. Even though he could barely scoot around, he still welcomed me with joy and comforted all of us while we watched him and cried. Shortly thereafter, my parents decided to put him down. It's a dreadful decision. Those of you who are dog lovers, I'm sure you understand how difficult and heart-wrenching this is.

Sammy was a part of our family and was a great buddy to me while growing up. I have so many fond memories of Sam. I will never forget how devoted he was to me after I had knee surgery. He would lay by me each day and somehow was so careful not to jump on me, or hurt me. He always knew when one of us was hurt or sad. This never went away up to the day he died.

Around Christmas time is when Sam's personality would shine. I've enclosed pictures of him jumping out of boxes, opening his own presents, and being the center of attention.

I am so grateful to Heavenly Father that he sends down these special creatures to be a part of our lives. They are so loyal and give you unconditional love.

I love you Sammy!! Your memories will always be a bright high-light in my life.

Fun Weekend

This last weekend we went to Joe's Valley Resevoir where Joe's family have a cabin. We go up there every Memorial Weekend and fix the fence around their property. This year there wasn't a whole lot of fence fixing due to the rainy weather. But we still had fun 4-wheeling and shooting skeet. Here are some pictures.

April Fun

Well, I made it to 25! I think I'm getting old, but then I get out in the real world; I'm just a baby. The positive note is I can now rent a car without any penalty fees! Woo Hoo!! I'm going to get right on that. :) It was fun to have lunch with Joe's parents on Saturday and then we went over to my parents yesterday to celebrate. I am sick with a cold, so I wasn't the most exciting to party with. But I love my family and spending time with them. Thanks for the gifts!

I am now a proud owner of an iPod touch. I'm excited for audio books and lots of music!! Any suggestions of good songs, albums, or books??

One of our friends asked for more pictures of Xander, because he's the coolest dog ever! So here you go Zoe; enjoy:) I tried to make him do tricks; all I got was a handshake. But that's pretty good!

5th Year Wedding Anniversary

Crazy as it may be, today is Joe and I's 5th wedding anniversary! It's amazing how the time flies. I feel as each year goes by, it just gets better and better. I am a little sad that he is out of town this week for work, but whether we are together or apart, I feel our love grow each day. I love Joe so much and I feel so grateful to have him in my life. There is no one else I would rather have spent it with. I look forward to many more!! I love you Joe!!

I just wanted to share a poem that was recited during our wedding ceremony. We were encouraged to memorize it. However, either of us have, but I always remember it.

How Do I Love Thee?

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as men turn from Praise.

I love thee with the passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints,-I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life!-and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

(Elizabeth Barrett Browning)

Decorating

Another month has gone by and not much has changed. We finally got to decorating our house. Thanks to mine and Joe's parents for helping us hang up the heavy stuff. I've included a picture of our painting job and my new mirror! I think it all looks great. It's amazing what a little paint can do. I think Joe and I did pretty well on our own.

I enjoyed meeting some friends from Logan yesterday for lunch. I miss them so much!

I am enjoying my job more. It's just never easy to change no matter how hard you try! Everyone is really nice though and I've enjoyed getting to know them. As long as I don't have to triage much, I'm happy.

The other week I came home to a surprise. Joe bought a new 46 in. tv. We have been talking about it for awhile, but I never thought he would do it. Joe has a hard time with big purchases. Which is a good trait. :) It is fun to have it though!

Here's a cute picture of Xander! He's fun to have around. He is definetely my little shadow.

Changes

Well, this is our attempt at an updated picture of us. I had to scan it so the quality isn't the greatest. We are not the most photo-genic people; but I think over all it turned out ok.

It has been an interesting and ever changing month. Joe is busy, busy at his new job and right in the middle of "busy season". His last client is filing soon and he worked from 8:30a.m. to about 11pm. Monday through Friday as well as a regular work day on Saturdays. A little tiring. I don't know how he's not burned out yet. This week is a little better since he has changed to a different client.. He has been able to be home in the evenings.
I am more comfortable with my new job. It has been a rough change, but I am starting to get to know everyone and feel a part of the workplace there. I have had to take on a new role once in a while as a "triage" nurse. That has been interesting! Now I see all of the people that come through the ER. I have definetley had to learn more patience!!

We are really enjoying our home. I still haven't decorated much. I can't do it alone because if I'm going to hang things on the wall, I want to make sure its centered. Since Joe is never home, I haven't gotton anywhere. Hopefully it will happen soon!! Xander has loved his new doggy door. Now he can go outside as he pleases and Joe and I don't have to worry about taking him out anymore.

I have discovered a cool new cleaning device. We recently purchased a Dyson vacuum. All I can say is "Wow"!! Not only does it clean the carpets well, but I can reach high things with it and use it on my tile. I never have to sweep again!!

Christmas 2008

We enjoyed spending Christmas at Joe's parents house in Green River. It was fun to see his sister's kids open presents and see what Santa brought them! We also enjoyed playing cards, watching movies, shopping, etc . .

A few days later we went to my parents house and exchanged gifts with them, my sisters, brother in law, and grandmother. It is very entertaining each year to watch the dogs open their presents! It is always great to spend the holidays with family.
This last week we have enjoyed spending time with each other and arranging our house. We've discovered that we are not very good at bolting cabinets to the walls. We hung a medicine cabinet in our bathroom which ended up being a lot more difficult than either one of us knew. But it is on the wall and we are crossing our fingers that it doesn't fall!!

We look forward to starting our new jobs next week! It will definetely be different, but I hope a great adventure!!

Moving

We did close on that house in Lehi on Dec. 3. We moved everything just after Joe's graduation the second weekend in December. This is basically our first week though we've been able to really stay in it. We've had to travel back and forth from Logan to Lehi. I had to finish my job in Logan. It was very hard to do that. I will miss my friends I have made up there a lot!! I've learned so much there and I know Joe and I will miss Cache Valley a lot! We've basically lived up there our entire marriage to this point.

We are excited to finally have a house!! It amazing though how much stuff you need like ladders, cabinets, phones, desks, doggy doors, etc . . . Here are a few pictures to show. I haven't decorated much yet. My favorite addition is our new table. I love it!! I've included pictures of the outside, kitchen, table, family room, office, master bath.