Happy Happy Birthday!!

Birthday Surprise!! Kelly Clarkson and The Frey!

Third row was awesome! She sounds even better in person.

Although it was a little loud. I think I lost part of my hearing. Ops!

Fondue at the Melting Pot! It was not only tasty but a lot of fun

 cooking our own food. I would definitely go here again. We sat

in a special place in the restaurant called, "Lovers Lane". It was so romantic!

Boston Temple

Aaron and I got up really early on Saturday morning to make our way into Boston to attend the temple. It was cold, but sunny outside, it was beautiful. We don't have the luxury anymore of driving down the street to attend the Salt Lake temple, but a 45 minute drive isn't too far either. When we arrived in the parking lot I felt right at home. I couldn't stop smiling, it was such a good feeling to be back there. Everyone was so nice and friendly and helped us find where we needed to go. We even saw an old friend and stayed for lunch. It was a wonderful day. Next time we go I hope it is a little warmer and I can take some great pictures of my own. I did not take this one but I loved it and felt like it represented the day well. The trees were bare and the air cold.

A Desire to Create

Perched
My Rock, My Redeemer

A Seed Planted

Ever since President Uchtdorf's talk, Happiness Your Heritage, I have tried to look at myself as a daughter of a great creator. I have been not only more willing to try new things, but have more faith and confidence in myself that I can do things well. To the great artist my works may look nothing of the professional sense, but to me every detail and stoke is a skill learned, almost perfected. I have a long ways to go, but I am determined to keep up my new learned talent. President Uchtdorf said, "Everyone can create. You don't need money, position, or influence in order to create something of substance or beauty. Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and other when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty."

Somebody steals the blanket!

My husband wonders every morning how I end up with all of the blanket! It is a total mystery to me because you see, he takes up almost the entire bed (we only have a queen and he is 6.4), so naturally he would need more of the blanket, but he willingly gives them all to me! Aaron has told me that when he gets cold he tries to pull them back, but I just won't release my death grip on the blanket. Maybe we need a bigger blanket. Here is what our bed looks like most mornings. As you can see their is little blanket left on the other side. Ops!

Mom for a Week

Wow what a big job mom's have. This last week I watched a family of four and I got a little glimpse into the life of a full time mother. And the verdict...... I have never wanted a family more! There were still times of disobedience, fighting and stubbornness, but over all there were sweet moments of love that were felt as we read scriptures and said prayers before bed, watched movies and ate dinner together.

I love this artist, her name is Elspeth Young. We attended BYU together and I got to know her while we were in the same ward together. She is a wonderful person and a beautiful artist. I love her work because it is so real. She creates the smallest details giving her pieces much depth and emotion. I love this piece because to me it portrays a mother caring for her young child. Something I know I want one day.

Hampton Beach

A Taste of Summer at Hampton Beach

The beautiful sun was out and we saw surfers and children playing

in the freezing water. Even though it was only 50 degrees outside we

clearly saw that low temperatures do not effect New Englander's!

A nice man asked us if we would like our picture taken!

The people out here are so friendly!

Sea food cages, that can only mean one thing!

Fresh sea food for lunch! Yummy!

Ray's Seafood, we definately recommend it. If you sit on the

upper deck you can see the beautiful coast. What a place!

Best Clam Chowder we have ever had!

Our Trip to New Hampshire

This is what we lived in for the first 4 days in New Hampshire. What a mess! We were so glad when the movers came and delivered our furniture. It is not that much fun sleeping on an air mattress!

This was such a fun stop. We got to spend a day in Kirtland! I even got to take Aaron on tour. It was so much fun to be back in the mission. I love it here and am so glad I got to share part of my mission with Aaron. These sister were awesome and so much fun to talk to .

Aaron is actually standing in his old bedroom in Nebraska. Some good friends bought their house when they moved and they let us come and stay the weekend with them. It was so much fun to hear all of the stories from Aarons childhood and picture them in their origional location. I loved being in his childhood home. He said not much had changed since he was there last.

Aaron and I had quite the adventure making it cross country to New Hampshire. We were on the road most days for about 10 hours. There was snow some of the way but we also got snowed in for 2 days when we got to Ohio. What a trip to remember. We had a good time though and we were so glad we made it safely.

There is Snow in New Hampshire!

So the snow is actually starting to melt now, but there sure was a lot of it. I hear from all the locals that this isn't normal. I guess we will see next year. Aaron and I are doing well. I am still looking for jobs but I have had a couple interviews so hopefully we are getting close. It is diffictult out there trying to find a job. One job I applied for had over 900 applicants. Where are all these people coming from? Aaron is enjoying his job and he is working really hard. I like hearing about his accomplishments that he has made thoughout the days. It is exciting! The ward is great! I get to work with the youth again. What a blessing! The young women out here are amazing! I already feel like their friends. There are some very nice family's in the ward, however there are no young married couples. Aaron and I are the only ones. I guess that makes us unique! I miss my family a lot and especially Utah, but I know we are out here for a reason so it helps me be happy and positive about things. I know part of the reason we are out here is for the church and for us to grow as individuals. God will bless us and hopefully we will fall in love with New England. We love you all and miss you!

A Preview of Our New Home

Aaron and I took a trip out east at the begining of December. We searched all weekend long to find a nice safe place to live and we finally found one. 

Theme: Cowboys

Pictured below from left to right is Valerie Rae, Jessie and Me. We are, The Twinkle. This last week we went to lunch and the movies. Our theme was "Cowboys". We ate a Cowboy Wrap and then watched True Grit. Who would ever think girls night out would turn into watching a true cowboy western and eating cowboy food. It was a great show and so fun to spend time with these girls. I am going to miss you guys!

The Lights on Temple Square

For family home evening on Monday night Aaron and I, our friends Amy and Dave all went to see the beautiful lights on temple square. This temple picture below is taken at Aarons special spot. It really is the best place to take pictures of the front of temple. I think it is beautiful, however my favorite picture is the last one.

This is my best friend Amy. Her and her husband now live in Sandy. Amy and I actually went to highschool together but never really knew eachother until we met again on our mission. After our missions we lived together at BYU.

This is me trying to be a good photographer. I am really trying to take better pictures but I really think it is easier to get a good picture with a nice camera. One day we plan on investing in a great camera.

Christmas Time

Aaron and I bought our first tree together. It was only about 5 feet tall but it was perfect for us. We put 400 lights on it, a couple ornaments and a star on top. I started a new tradition for our little family this year. A week before Christmas we hang different scriptures on the tree. Every night we get together and read a scripture together. Here are a couple pictures from Christmas.

Utah From a Birds Eye.

This is a picture of our curent home, Salt Lake City. It is a beautiful city. I love the yummy restraunts and great culture events that are so close to us. We are so lucky to have lived here for a short time.

This picture is of the BYU campus! I just love it. So many great memories!

We will always love Provo! It is the most wonderful place to live, I hope one day to move back. I especially loved attending the University. I loved that the gospel was taught in all of my classes. It was wonderful to see how it influences everything. I know that Aaron enjoyed his educaton too, but we also love going to the football games together. Go Cougars!!

Aaron and I love the Draper Temple. Aaron took me to the open house for our 3rd date. It was such a wonderful night and about a year later Aaron and I would be married here. We love this temple. It will always be a favorite. Isn't it beautiful?!

Tomato-Basil Parmesan Soup

A special thanks to the BYU Alumni magazine for introducing Aaron and I to this wonderful soup! Here is the story. Aaron does not like soup but because this one was endorsed by BYU he was more than willing to try it. He found this picture, recipe and story in the BYU magazine and he wanted me to make it. So one day we made it and we both loved it! It is super easy too because it is done in a crock pot. I was surprised that it turned out great and looked just like the picture. I think it tasted better than Zupas (and that is saying a lot coming from me. I love Zupas!)

Soaring over Salt Lake Valley

Aaron, Dad and I all got up early Saturday morning to take a quick ride in the Cessna. It was a perfect day to go up. The fall colors were beautiful!

We saw all of Salt Lake City, the Draper Temple, 11589, my favorite school of all the BYU campus and Cougar Stadium!! It was such a fun morning and this was Aaron's first time up in Dad's plane. Aaron was a good co-pilot. Pictures to come soon.

Friends Lunch!

This is my sister Val and our long time friend Becca. We don't see eachother much but when we do get together we always have fun. We went to lunch at Zupas, one of my favorite restraunts and just caught up about life with one another. It was such a good time. Hope to do it again soon.

Hostess Cupcakes!!

"Now that's the Stuff!"

My sweet twinie buys treats all the time at the Big Lots across from her work. I never get to go because we work so far apart from eachother but this time she tried to share a little cupcake with me! She is so sweet, she even thought of Aaron too but gave me the bigger half.

One thing you should know about "the twinie's" is we love our treat. Aaron says it isn't a treat anymore if I am eating them every day but I would like to decide other wise. Treats are the most wonderful thing ever and I am so glad Valey shared her's with me today. Thanks!

Rainbow Brite Shoes

Rainbow Brite Shoes

I bought my first pair of "Rainbow Brite" shoes at Ross for $5.00. I know, what a deal! They have taken me to Santa Cruz, Carmel, Mamoth Lakes, Lake Powell, Towne Storage, and everywhere else. As you can see they have gotten a little dirty and worn out, but I still wore them because they were the best shoes. Well, Aaron found the exact same pair online for me and wahla, he ordered them for me and now I will never have to part without them. I am one lucky girl!

Mater our Jackolantern

This is Mater. He is our jackolantern. We just carved him with our friends last Saturday after the big game. Aarons job was scooping out the guts because I can't stand slimmy things on my hands and I got to carve the face. He is my favorite jackolantern that I have ever carved. We put electric candles in him at night so the wind doesn't blow them out. We love him! And I only stabbed my finger once.

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween

There is nothing better than making haunted ginger bread houses

and carving a pumpkin We love the Fall