It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Alaska & Kira love Christmas. They know that we put up the tree and decorate the house. We wrap gifts and then at some point we open them, and Alaska & Kira always get something fun to play with. So they love it when we get the Christmas decorations out and put up the tree.

This is Kira in the photo above, but notice how Alaska has opened every box of Christmas decorations that she can reach.

(Above) Alaska helping Scott put up the tree.

(Above) Kira helping Scott put up the tree.

The Utah Jazz

Once in a while we get the chance to go to a Jazz basketball game, usually thanks to my aunt and uncle who have season tickets. We always have a good time! Tonight we got to go with Scott’s sister and her husband (below).

Agree to Disagree

Generally Scott and I have similar opinions when it comes to a lot of things. But there is one thing we cannot agree on: who to root for every fall in the BYU vs. Utah football game. My family are big BYU fans, and I grew up going to football games and even attending college there. One year while living in Provo, Utah, I even camped out all night with friends to get season tickets to the BYU football games. Aaaaw, those were beautiful times.

However, I married a Utah fan. And despite our yearly "disagreement," I still love him. And he’s mostly a good sport about going to my parents’ house for football parties, no matter who wins. Utah won this year :( . We’ll see what happens next year!

Birthday Boy

Celebrating Scott's birthday at my parents' house.

Full Circle

We had the opportunity today to go and see our friends have their little boy become a part of their forever family (his adoption was finalized last week). It was so sweet! Congratulations!

First Snow

Alaska & Kira enjoying the first snow of the season.

We have grass!

We finally have grass in our front yard. The sod was delivered yesterday and Scott has been laying it all day (and doing a nice job, too).

Always Love Weddings

My brother got married last week. It was a beautiful wedding!


My brother and new sister-in-law.

Scott and Jen

My brother and all the nephews. Unfortunately I missed the picture of the bride and all the little girls. :(

Jen & Scott at the reception.

Nephews enjoying the chocolate fountain.

Niece and nephew at the candy table.

Another Year . . .

Celebrating my birthday.

Why did you get married?

I don’t usually watch Oprah, but today they were advertising a show called "Why did you get married?" They asked a few questions of several couples that got me thinking about our marriage and how I feel about it.

Why did you get married?
I got married because I loved Scott and I couldn’t imagine being without him.

What did you expect of marriage?
I was pretty independent when we first got married, and I think I expected that I could be my own independent self, separate from Scott, not relying on anybody else to take care of me but me. But it wasn’t until I let my guard down and began to rely on him that our relationship really started to grow in ways I didn’t know it could.

What did you NOT expect?
We were good friends from the beginning, but I didn’t expect how deep our friendship has grown over the years. Also, I didn’t know that love could grow so deep. I didn’t expect that I would have to rely on Scott’s support so much, and I appreciate that he is always there for me when I need love and support.