7 Years

The 14th marks me and Sean's 7th wedding anniversary! I cannot believe how fast time has flown. We have experienced many things together. When we first got married we lived in the basement of my grandma's house in Wellsville. We had our own little apartment down there and made many memories there. We spent 1 summer in Atlanta, Georgia. We got roped into Sean selling Pest Control and making the big bucks (ha ha). Sean would tell you that I hated every minute of it down there. At the time I think I did. I had never been away from my family or Utah and was so homesick. We only had one car and Sean needed it so I was stuck inside by myself all day. Toward the end I got a job working in an Law Office- a member in our Bishopric was an Immigration lawyer and hired me to help do paperwork. That made my days in Georgia more bearable. We did some fun things down there and looking back now I have fond memories of our summer in Georgia. We came back to my grandma's and were both in school. My grandma eventually got sick and Sean and I had the priviledge of helping take care of her. Also at this time we learned that we were pregnant with Brooklyn. What joy and happiness she has brought into our lives and our families. We often comment that Brooklyn gave my grandma 1 more year of life. I was touched as I would watch Sean so tenderly take care of my grandma. They would watch sports together and Sean would come up and watch the Jazz with her. After she passed away we were on a walk and walked passed the house we would eventually buy. We saw it was for sale and made an appointment to see it. The first time we walked through it we knew we wanted it. It has been a great "first home." We have welcomed Gracie into our family and what a sweetheart she is- also bringing joy into our lives. In our 7 years we have had 2 babies, bought a house, both graduated from college, had 2 dogs, had 6 different cars, lived in 2 states, gone on some way fun vacations, and grown together as a couple. We have had our ups and downs- and continue to love each other. I feel so blessed to be married to my best friend and to have him as the father of my kids. Happy Anniversary Babe- I love you!

Christmas Tree Catastrophe!

The other night we had a MAJOR incident with our Christmas Tree. Sean, Brooklyn, and I were hanging out before she went to bed. My phone rang and I got up to get it- as I was turning around, I hear Sean yell, "Brooklyn! Look out!" I hear this LOUD crash and look to see this:

Christmas Tree on Brooklyn

This is what was under the tree when we put it back up

The tree after the incident

So to preface the tree falling- I have to explain. Our front room is too small for our tree. Our tree is artificial and one that you have to put in branch-by-branch. So our first Christmas in our house I came up with the idea of just filling the branches in the front and side and putting the back right against the wall. It does get heavy on the side with the branches so we put weights on the base to even it out. Evidently, the weights fell off- making the tree fall right on top of Brooklyn. Sean went over first thing to lift the tree off her and I was like, "Wait- I need the camera." It was actually quite funny! The amazing thing is that only 1 little bulb broke. We did have a mess after and I had to redo parts of the tree. But it is up and we have put more weights on it.

Moab

This last weekend we went down to Moab and spent a couple of days with our good friends Nick, Monica, and Addi and Buster. Moab was having their kickoff celebration of winter and were having a 10K that Sean and Nick decided they were going to run in. They both did awesome. I was so proud of Sean- he just started running about 2 months ago and he did great! On Saturday night there was a light parade we went to. It was tons of fun- Brooklyn and Gracie loved it and the highlight was when Brooklyn saw Santa Claus- she was so excited it was way cute. While we were there Sean, Nick, Brooklyn, and I hiked to the Delicate Arch. (Monica volunteered to stay home and watch Gracie and Addi. Thanks Monica!) The hike is pretty much all uphill on a huge rock. Nick was nice enough to push Brooklyn pretty much the whole way in a jogger stroller. Thanks Nick!! When we got to the top and finally saw the Arch- it was breathtaking- it is gorgeous! It is amazing that right in the middle of nowhere is this amazing arch! What a great weekend- thanks Nick and Monica for taking such great care of us while we were down there!

Thankful

I love this time of the year- that I have to stop and really reflect on the the things that I am thankful for. It seems like after Halloween, stores start putting up the Christmas and it is like Thanksgiving is forgotten.

I am so so thankful for my family. I don't know what I ever did to deserve such an amazing family. I am so thankful for Sean and for all he does for our little family. I am thankful for my 2 sweet girls- they are the light of my life. I am thankful for wonderful parents who have always supported me in everything I do. I am thankful for my sister and brothers and their spouses- we are so lucky that we all get along so well and love each other so much. I am thankful for Sean's family. I am thankful for my extended family as well and for the love and support they give us.

I am thankful for the gospel, my testimony, and my Savior. I honestly don't know where I would be without it. I know that my Heavenly Father knows ME and loves ME and what a comfort that is.

I am thankful to have such wonderful and supportive friends.

I am thankful to live in this country. I am thankful for the freedoms we enjoy.

I am thankful for my house, our cars, electricity, food, computer.

I could go on and on for the things I am thanful for- I hope you all have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

We have a Walker and Proud Parent Moment

Over the past month or so Gracie has been taking a few steps here and there, but now she is walking all over the place. This video was taken last week and I can't believe how much she has improved in just a week. She walks now about as much as she crawls- I can't believe that she is walking and 11 months old already.

Last Sunday was Brooklyn's Primary Program. She had memorized her part and was so excited for the program. Grandma Sue, Pops, Nat, Garrett, and Grandma Maynard came to watch her. When it was time to go up her whole class but her went and her teacher mouthed to me she wouldn't go. So here I go and get her and take her up on the stand and she said it perfectly. I guess she was a little nervous- I would've been to. After the program she also had her first talk in Primary she did a really good job. I have to admit I was really proud of her! (I am so mad at myself that I didn't take a picture of her.)

I LOVE Concerts!

I LOVE going to concerts whenever I can! This month I have been lucky enough to go to 2. Collin Raye was playing at the Desert Star Theater and me, my mom, sister, Jan, and friend Susan Nielsen went and saw him. It was so fun it only seated 200. It was an unplugged dinner show. I had never been to anything like that before. And then a group of us went and saw Carrie Underwood. It was a way fun concert. I had never seen her before and she put on a really good show!

Jan, Me, Nat, My Mom, Susan

Collin Raye

Mal, Heidi, Chels, Me, Jan, Marijka, Karen, Marlee, Kami, Karlie, (Nat taking the picture)

Heidi, Chels, Me, Mal, Karlie, Nat

Halloween!

I have had a hard time finding the time I needed to get this post done. We had a great and full Halloween week. It started off on Tuesday when Brooklyn went to a Halloween party with Nat, Derk, and Garrett in Salt Lake. On Thursday, Brooklyn got to dress up for her dance class and then we rushed home to make it to our Ward Trunk-or-Treat. On Friday, Brooklyn got to dress up for preschool and then we started making the rounds. We went and visited Sean's Grandma at Logan Nursing, went to Sean's parents, went and saw Nick, Addi, Randy, and Kandace Oldroyd, and then headed to Wellsville where we hung out at Kami's. Every year Ric makes homemade chili, we also have cinnamon twists, and Jan's "Witches Brew" which is homemade RootBeer. Brooklyn always has such a blast playing in it. The girls handled all the madness very well!

(as usual I took WAY too many pictures)

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