Anniversary Celebration

Matt took a week off of work so that we could celebrate our sixth wedding anniversary. It was a much needed break for Matt and a great time for the family to spend together. On Tuesday, June 3rd, my parents had a family dinner at their house. We had a delicious meal and had a great time visiting with everybody. We shared stories from the day of our wedding.

On Wednesday, June 4th, Matt, Elizabeth and I spent the day together. It was such a fun day. The weather was rainy and cold so we did not go to all of the places that we wanted to, but we did make it to Gateway. We went shopping and had lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen. I got a new North Face rain jacket, which was useful with all of the rain that we received that day. Matt and I were so grateful that the weather was beautiful six years earlier. On our wedding day, the weather could not have been better. It was in the mid 70s with a slight breeze. Absolutely Perfect!






That night, my parents watched Elizabeth so that Matt and I could go out alone. We decided that we would go get dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.














Matt got the Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake, while I had the Seven Layer Truffle Cake.












Thursday, we did some things around the house and spent time playing with Elizabeth. She loved having her daddy home with her. We wanted to spend as much time with her as possible because we would not be with her for the next two days. I was not sure that I was going to make it. Two days was a really long time...I had not been away from Elizabeth that long before.

We brought Elizabeth to Karla and Kelly's house on Thursday night, so that Matt and I could spend the evening at the Anniversary Inn. It has become a tradition for us. We hope that we can continue this tradition for many years to come. After dropping Elizabeth off, Matt and I headed to Madeline's Steakhouse for dinner. We had not been there before but my mom highly recommended it. Matt and I had a great time. They gave us so much food. My favorite though was the Coconut Shrimp. It was divine. Next time we go, I think I will order it as my meal, even though it is listed as an appetizer.

At the Anniversary Inn, our room was bundled with the Warm Fuzzies Package and the Movie Pack. We received a logo blanket, two mugs, two soft drinks, candy, and a large tub of popcorn. I loved it. We just laid in bed, watched movies, and talked. It was a really great night.


The next morning, we got up and moving because we had a lot of things planned. First we were off to see Kung Fu Panda. I wanted to see this movie so bad, so we went. It was so good. Better than I had hoped it would be. I know the reviews have not been that great...but I really like it. After the movie, we went to...Chick-Fil-A. I love Chick-Fil-A and hardly get to eat it anymore. The closest one is across town, so it is a treat to get to eat it!

Later that afternoon, Matt and I had scheduled a Couples Massage at The Spa Club. This was our first massage so we were a little nervous and really excited. I have to say, after having the massage...I am totally hooked. I could have a massage everyday for the rest of my life. It was soooooo relaxing. I am glad that we splurged on this little treat!

After eating at Noodles & Company, we headed to the Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband Concert. We had so much fun. You never know what to expect at one of their concerts. The guys are crazy. This was their new CD release concert, so we got to hear all of their new songs and learn about the meanings behind them.


I want to take a quick second to thank my mom and dad, and Karla and Kelly for taking care of Elizabeth for the couple of days. It was so great to run around and be with Matt. We had an amazing time and could not have done it without you. We are so blessed to have family that is so willing to help us out. I feel so blessed to know that Elizabeth has grandmas and grandpas that love her so much!

Our Little Ostrich

For the past little bit, Elizabeth has been doing what Matt affectionately calls "the ostrich". We have been trying to get a picture of it for awhile, but as soon as Matt gets his camera out...she stops (of course!). So today, Matt sat on the floor in the loft, hid his camera from Elizabeth, and waited. He is so patient. She just played and played...and he just waited and waited...then finally she did it.


It is the craziest thing. She just pushes her head to the floor, lifts her bum into the air, and looks around. We think it is because she likes to see everything up-side-down.


Just when you think that she is the cutest, and that she could not possibly get any more adorable...she goes and does something new. We love our little ostrich!

Six Amazing Years

Matt and I have been married for six amazing years. It is hard to believe that we have been married for that long. In some respects, it seems as though we just got married...but when I really think about it, it is hard for me to remember a time without Matt. I met him in high school, when I was 16 and now I am 27.....wow!

Even after all of these years, I still get excited when Matt walks into the room. He still brings a smile to my face. He is my best friend. I cannot image my life without him. He is such a great husband and a wonderful daddy to Elizabeth. I feel so blessed to have Matt by my side.

We have made so many memories since we were married six years ago. Funny ones, sad ones, difficult ones, but mostly happy ones. We have been through vacations, job losses, medical scares, the birth of our beautiful daughter, and too many other things to mention. We are so blessed to still be so crazy about each other after all these years.

Here's looking to the future, Matt. Well, really these pictures are looking to the past, but you know what I mean... (thanks for the line Sami)

Our wedding day, June 4, 2002. We were married at 10:00 am in the Salt Lake Temple.


We have had 11 Christmas' together. I am so lucky to have found the love of my life so early on. Here are a few pictures of us from throughout the years. Didn't we look so young?!?


Matt and I have taken some really great trips together. Some of our favorites include: Las Vegas, Yellowstone, DisneyLand, and our honeymoon to Hawaii.


In December 2004, we broke ground on our new home. It was finished in May 2005.


In April 2007, we welcomed our beautiful baby girl. What an amazing experience for Matt and I. It has changed our lives for the better. We are grateful to have this wonderful little girl as part of our family.


Our first family photo together, with Elizabeth. This was taken at her blessing in June 2007.


Here is our family today. I am so grateful for my little family. Words cannot express how I feel. These have been the most amazing years of my life and I am so thankful I got to share them with you, Matt. I love you! Here's to many more happy years together.

Don't Call Me Shorty!

I saw this outfit at Old Navy, a couple of months back, and had to get it for Elizabeth. It was right after I found out that she was in the 10th percentile for her height. I thought the saying was perfect!


Matt and I had so much fun playing with Elizabeth today. She has so much energy and does not stop for two seconds. She is constantly on the move. I love to hear her laugh and to see her smile. She is such a sweet girl. Matt and I feel so blessed to have her in our lives. She truly is the perfect baby. She sleeps through the night, eats anything that we give her, loves to give "kissies" and to play! One thing that I can say about Elizabeth, is that she is not shy. She loves people. She will go to anyone and will play with anyone. She's been known to run after kids when we are in public, just so she can play with them. It doesn't matter how big they are or how old they are, she wants to get in on the action.


When we bought the bedding for Elizabeth's room, I had to get this chair. I thought that it was the cutest thing that I had ever seen. I knew that it would be too big for her when she was born, but was excited for the day when she would grow into it. Well that day is here! Elizabeth loves this chair. She sits in it all the time. She loves to sit in it and drink her bottle. Just recently, she started climbing into it herself. I am so proud of her. Because she is so small, it is hard for me to comprehend that she is a toddler now. I cannot believe it! It amazes me how fast she has grown up.


Another thing that Elizabeth loves is....light switches. I don't know why but she gets so excited when she sees one. Her Papa showed her how to use the light switch and now she has to try out every single one that she sees. She is so proud of herself when she is able to turn the light on or off. I love the face that she makes when she succeeds. She is such a doll (and quite a character!).

Memorial Day Weekend

Matt, Elizabeth and I had a great Memorial Day Weekend! On Friday night, my mom and dad had a sleepover with Elizabeth, so Matt and I had the night free. We decided that we would go to dinner and a movie. After eating at Spaghetti Mamas, we went to see Indiana Jones. Dinner was great, the movie....not so much. I thought that it was terrible! Even Matt hated the show, which was disappointing because he was looking forward to it. The movie had too much CGI and the story was so stupid. Oh well, it was still a great night because Matt and I were together!


Matt had to work on Saturday, so I went to Gardner Village to check out their Sidewalk Sale. I found a new purse and some bracelets. After shopping, I went to get Elizabeth from my parent's house. When I arrived, she was outside with Papa and Uncle Michael. When she saw me walking up to the house, she pointed and had a huge smile on her face. I absolutely love that girl! We hung out at my parent's house for a while, visiting with my brother, Michael. After lunch, my Mom, Elizabeth and I went shopping at the Fashion Place Mall.

Once Matt got off work, we all headed to Sizzler for dinner. Matt and I had not been there forever, so we were really surprised by the nice salad bar and the yummy food.


On Sunday, my parent's had a BBQ and game night at their house. We had hamburgers, hot dogs, potato chips...the works. The hamburgers were delicious! I had Elizabeth try a hot dog and she loved it. I could not get it into her mouth fast enough. She was constantly asking for more. She is definitely not my child...because I would not be caught dead eating a hot dog!






Here is a photo of Elizabeth, playing with her Uncle Bill. He was showing her how to spin a ball on the top of the table. She thought that it was so great!












Elizabeth is always following everyone around. My mom and dad were doing some dishes, so Elizabeth had to follow them into the kitchen to see what they were doing.

Once she was in the kitchen, there was no getting her out. She wanted to be a big-helper and do the dishes with us!





One thing that I know for sure, is that Elizabeth loves her Papa. She follows him around, wants him to hold her and wants to grab his hand and take him outside to play. If he leaves the room, she whines and then runs after him. The poor guy cannot even go to the bathroom without her standing outside the door, banging on it.






Elizabeth has brought so much joy to my little family. Before she was born, I was the youngest...so it has been exciting to have a little baby around. We love to just watch her run around. Many times, at our get-togethers, we have said, "what did we do for entertainment before Elizabeth arrived?" It seems that now-a-days, we are entertained by watching Elizabeth just be her cute self!


On Monday, Matt's family had a BBQ. It was so good to get together with everyone. We don't get to see Adam, Tifani, and the girls very often. It was nice to visit and catch up on everything that is going on. Adam and Tifani are currently looking for houses. It was interesting to hear about all of the places they have looked at. Hopefully, they will be able to find something soon. They are also looking at getting into a Minivan, since their third child is due in September.

I love that Elizabeth is a little older, and bigger now. She is able to interact with her cousins, Kena and Kate. I get so excited when the three of them play together. While we were at Karla and Kelly's house, we put on some music and the three girls were dancing together. If that wasn't cute enough, Elizabeth decided to walk around and give Kena and Kate some kissies. Once the girls received Elizabeth' s kissies, they decided to start kissing back. For a few minutes, the girls just walked around kissing each other. It just melted my heart! I didn't have any cousins around while I was growing up, so I love that Elizabeth has two...with another on the way!