...Virginia...

For the first week of December we were in Virginia visiting with Chuck's family. We were all able to be together for the first time since everyone was in Florida, three years ago! We all stayed at his brother's house and had the best time! We stayed up late playing Wii and talking and laughing. We shared the basement with Chuck's sister, Jenny and her husband, Dave and their three year old son, Danny...when we get together with them it's like one big sleepover!

We were also able to go to the temple as a family. It was such a wonderful experience and after we came out of the temple there was a couple of inches of snow on the ground! It looked like a Winter Wonderland! While I don't care for the snow, I will say it was a fun suprise. At the Visitor Center there on the temple grounds they had nativity sets from all around the world. They were so interesting and fun to look at. I've posted a few of my favorites below...

We're so grateful that we were able to see his family and spend a week with them! Thanks for the fun!

This nativity is made out of shells and pearls from New Zealand.


I think this one was from Uganda. I think this one was my favorite.


This was Chuck's favorite, it was from China. Mary is dressed in a kimono.

L-R: Me, Chuck, Sally, Jen, Randy Snr., Randy Jr., Jenny and Dave

Enjoying the snow!

We were back there for Chuck's birthday. Our sweet niece Olivia made Chuck a "Birthday Crown" out of binder paper and colored jewels on it. Chuck wore it proudly at his birthday dinner! Thanks Olivia!

This is what we saw when we exited the temple! COLD!

The Washington D.C. temple in the snow.

Chuck lovin' the snow!

Chuck and Dave playing Wii...I think this night was Madden Fantasy Football.

...Evening Sky...

Today I managed to survive "Black Friday". Okay I only went to one store and it was later in the afternoon, but still. On my way home it started to sprinkle. I thought, "Okay it's November this is normal. " But the sky was so dark. I took a nap when I got home and woke up in time to hear the heavy rain.

It was coming down in buckets!!! Then all of the sudden I see a flash...LIGHTNING! I waiting for the thunder and almost immediately there it was BOOM! Oooh...cool. Again, a flash of light and then the thunder. Again, a third time! I know for some of you this is no big deal but we do not get lightning and thunder out here and we definately don't get it three times in a row! I was sad when it was over, I loved the sound of it.


When it was over the rain slowed to a spinkle again and the clouds swiftly moved on leaving this beautiful sunset. I was struck by how fast the storm came and how quickly it left leaving something wonderful to look at in it's place. I just had to take a picture!

These pictures don't do the colors justice.

...Chuck...

Okay, I'm going to admit it, I secretly roll my eyes when other people post about how great their significant other is...obviously they are great otherwise you wouldn't be with them right? Okay, well now I need to take back all those giggles because today I felt like paying tribute to my love.

This year has been kind of rough for Chuck and I. I'm not just talking about like kind of bumpy and we've gotten over it, I mean it's been ROUGH, like I'll be glad to see 2009 go and never come back rough. It feels like we have had one hit after another and while we're down life keeps hitting us. Enough already!

I know things have been rough for other people, believe me, I've talked to some and am grateful I don't have their trials, but for Chuck and I, relative to us, it's been hard. I'll be glad to start 2010 and have a blank slate.

Okay, not my point to gripe, because even though things have been rough, we have been blessed, and my family has been blessed and I can recognize that...

...but this is not my point, my point is Chuck. I really don't think I would have made it through the year without his love and support. I dropped him off at an early morning meeting at church today and on my way back home I just felt such gratitude for him in my life. I have not been the easiest person to live with this year but Chuck has never waivered. I am so grateful for the temple covenants that we made two years ago, and that when we attend the temple, like we were able to this past weekend, I am so grateful to be reminded of that day. It was one of the best decisions we've ever made. When things are tough I know that no matter what we have made that committment to eachother and have the Lord on our side.

Chuck is wonderful. He serves faithfully, has a heart of gold which he extends to everyone, he is funny and makes me laugh, he works hard, and he cares for me when I need him. He has been my rock this year and I hope that I can return the love and support every day and especially on the days he needs me.

Chuck on his first day of school.

...Utah Weekend...

We are back and up and running again...we've been without a computer for the past couple of weeks and have solved the problem (Thanks to the generosity of others.)

Anyway, not my point.

A few weekends ago Chuck and I went to Utah to take part in the blessing of my new nephew Liam. We were really excited to get away for the weekend and see family. We were sad that my brother Bryan and his family couldn't be there, but we did have them in our thoughts.

We had beautiful weather, played games, played with my other nephew Isaac (Liam's older brother), went to the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake and just really had a great time. My brother blessed my nephew on Sunday and it was a beautiful blessing. We had a really great time and can't wait to go back and see everyone again!


We rode the carosel at the zoo, not as much fun as when we were kids.


This is a baby giraffe. So pretty!


My mom, sister and I.


This is the zoo's new baby elephant, born at the zoo. She was my favorite! She was so playful and so cute. I love that she's a baby but has saggy skins and wrinkly knees like an old lady...not that I know if old lady's have wrinkly knees, I'm just saying...nevermind. She was fun to watch.

Next to her mom.

My nephew Isaac. He is so sweet and says the funniest things. We were eating lunch together and he was sitting next to me, he saw I was eating soup and asked, "You're eating carrots? and noodles? and chicken?" I said, "Yes I am." and took a spoonful of my soup and the noodle dropped off my spoon, Isaac saw this and said, "Oops, your noodle fell! Silly noodle." Ahh, melt my heart.

I also came home with sticky hair because of Isaac. He was eating lunch meat and smushing it in between his hands and then he'd reach over and touch my hair. He was doing this a lot that weekend, eating and then reaching over to touch my hair, and it wasn't until the last day at lunch that I he was doing this and I had gunk in my hair...needless to say I went home and washed it. It was worth it though, Chuck and I had fun spending time with Isaac.

The kids on the blessing day...minus Bryan and fam.

My parents with the grandkids...

The happy family! I love these guys! Wish they were closer.

The reason for going, Liam. I love those blue eyes!!!

...Wedding Weekend...

Like I mentioned in my previous post Chuck and I went with my parents to Ventura for my cousins wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and we really enjoyed ourselves. Tim and Marie got married at The Camarillo Ranch. On the site there was a beautiful house that dated back hundreds of years. Tim and Marie got married on the grounds with the house in the background. The reception was held in a refurbished barn. There was a great fall vibe. We are so happy for Tim and Marie and wish them many years of love, laughter and happiness.


Waiting for the ceremony to start.


They made these boutinere's for all the men. They were a really cute personalized touch.


The groom and his groomsmen. They each wore brown suits with their choice of ties.


My cousin Jenny. She looked so beautiful and classic. Each of the bridesmaids had the same color dress but each got to pick out the style of their dress. They each got their hair done at a salon that only does "Pin-Up Girl" hair. They all had a very classic 40's look...they looked great!


The officiator of the ceremony gave them each a red rose bud as their first gift as a married couple. She mentioned that a red rose is a symbol of love. They traded roses symbolizing giving eachother their gift of love, and then they handed the roses to their parents. It was a really nice touch to the ceremony.


Tim and Marie...the Happy Couple!


The house. We were able to tour it inbetween the ceremony and reception. It was so cool!


The barn where we had the reception.


My cousin Tim is an artist and has lots of friends that are artists, one who made this one. They were two cut outs where guests could stick their heads and take pictures.


The cake. YUM!


The cake topper. There was a harvest/Day of the Dead theme to the wedding.


Each table was nammed after one of their favorite authors. I hadn't heard of the guy at our table.


My cousin Tim drew each of these. They looked great!


At the table was a little skeleton bride and groom. Sorry for the blurry picture.


My Auntie Robin and my Grandpa Terry.


This is for Caitlin. Marie let me take a picture of her in her dress. Beautiful!


And the back of her dress. I think she said that her Mom made her veil. It was really pretty! Here the couple is cutting the cake.

Oh I love weddings and this was a fun one. Congratulations Tim and Marie!

...Ventura Pier...

This past weekend we were in Ventura for my cousins wedding. We had some time to kill the morning of the wedding so we headed over to Ventura Pier and then over to a pumpkin patch. Chuck and I fell in love with Ventura. It's on the beach, it's clean, it's beautiful. It is surrounded by orchards of all kinds of things...We had such a great weekend!

...Anniversary...

I didn't have my camera today so sorry for the no-photos post.

For our anniversary today, Chuck and I both had to work (whoo-hoo!) but after work we went to dinner at Palomares Cafe in town. It is really good and serves Italian and Mediterranean food. We enjoyed the quiet and calming atmosphere as we ate WAY too much. We had potato skins as appetizers, Chuck had the Linguine and Salmon dish (or something like that) and I had the chicken fettuccini. Then as we were leaving Chuck saw a Golden Spoon frozen yogurt shop. You would have thought he had won the lottery with how excited he was! I was excited too because I can eat frozen yogurt but not ice cream...so we don't usually get treats like this!!! We sat and ate some more until I think we could barely move...it's true what they say, "There's always room for dessert!" It was Yummy!

That was our exciting day! We both had the day off yesterday in observance of Labor Day and we went miniature golfing. I count that as part of our Anniversary celebration.

All in all it was a fun night...I'm ready for a shower and my pajamas after all that food!

Happy Anniversary to us!!!

...September 8th...

Today is our 2nd Wedding Anniversary! It's hard to believe sometimes all the things that have happened in the last two years. The days have flown by at times and seem to have stood still at other times. Some days we can't believe it's only been two years and other time it feels like we've been together for much longer (in a good way...the kind of way that you can't imagine your life without the other person way.)

Here's a quick run down of the last two years:

Wedding Day, September 8th

Honeymoon in Monterey

Multiple weekend trips to San Francisco

A new couch

A trip back east to Washington D.C. and New Jersey

A new to us car!

Chuck back to school

Trips to Disneyland

We've had a busy two years and have some wonderful, fun memories but we've also had our share of trials. We've had a few more tears than last year but laughter has always been there. We've lost loved ones and welcomed two nieces, two nephews and a brother-in-law to the family. We've had new callings and new jobs. Made multiple trips to Utah, and seen about a hundred movies in the theather (and some we wish we could get our money back!)

Two years down and an eternity to go! (plus in two more months we will have lasted longer than Britney Spear's second marriage...I think we'll be just fine.)

They were so charming. I wonder what happened?

...School Daze...

"My boy is so grown up!!!"

I'm just kidding.

Here is Chuck on his first day back to school.

He's taking an English class two nights a week at the local community college.

It was all we could fit in with his work schedule...but we're excited!

Please ignore my dirty sneakers in the background.

...True Blood vs. Twilight...

Okay, I know that True Blood the HBO show about vampires is very popular. I actually have never seen it, but I just gotta say from the pictures I've seen, the Vampires from True Blood...a little silly looking. I can't get over their teeth! Their fangs don't look like they fit in their mouth. It looks like they bought their fangs from the Halloween store SPIRIT for $1.99. I probably will never watch the show not only because it's on HBO but also because I can't get over how cheesy their teeth look. Not so intimidating.

Now Twilight on the other hand, I am a big fan of them but if I weren't, I still would love the way they look. I am especially excited for the way the Volturi look in the new movie. I like the modern twist on them but something is still a little off-putting about them. Much better than cheezie fangs.

P.S. Internet Movie Database has some cool trailers for New Moon. I'm excited!