Weekend in Utah-Day 1

Last weekend was such a fun and busy weekend! Josh and I flew into SLC on a Thursday afternoon to attend Jessica & Eric's wedding on Friday and we had a great time seeing family and friends. It seemed like we drove & ate the entire trip!

First day in SLC
Just like the good ol' days!


After arriving in Salt Lake around 1 PM, my Grandpa was kind enough to pick us up at the airport since both my parents were working. After picking up my mom's car (which she generously lent to us for the majority of the weekend) Josh and I went over to my Aunt Cherilyn's so she could fix my color. It was so fun catching up with her and I am so grateful that she was able to fit in an emergency color after my horrible hair experience in Portland. We then went to Chili's with my dad-but failed to take any pictures all afternoon. It was a great dinner-especially when my dad asked our waitress to taste his chalky tortillas...she gracefully declined. =)


Following dinner, Josh and I went to a vocal recital where my Mom and younger brother Daniel performed. Aubrey was attending a special needs mutual, so she wasn't able to perform at this recital. Shortly after I moved to Georgia they all began taking voice lessons and I have missed every performance they have had for the past 3 years. I felt so lucky to finally attend! Dan sang a really cool civil war piece-and my Mom sang 4 pieces. I swear my Mother isn't a day over 30. Isn't she gorgeous?

I wish I had more pictures from their concert but I was worried about people getting annoyed by the crazy wannabe photographer in the front row. This concert was such a blast from the past. I felt like I was back in High School as different performers sang song like "Dirait-On" and "I'm not that Girl" from Wicked. I miss taking voice lessons!

Later that evening after my family went to bed Josh and I went and stayed the night at Brittney & Tyler's house and kept Britt company while her husband and family were out of town. It was a spontaneous decision to actually stay the night (we were way too tired to drive home) but it was fun to see my best friend a little extra while we were in Utah. Staying up late at her parents house made me feel like I was 18 again. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Big Al's Bowling & Birthday dinner

Josh's birthday celebration continued with bowling & dinner at Big Al's Bowling and a home cooked meal at his Mom's. Josh had requested either paintballing or bowling, and bowling ended up being the best activity for all of our family. Big Al's bowling is a new complex with arcades, restaurants, shops, and two alleys. I couldn't believe how packed it was!

Sports Bar inside. The food was really similar to Iggy's Sports Bar, but I thought the TV's were a little cooler. We are such attention deficit Country-it was a little crazy trying to focus on one game/show with so many playing at the same time!

I HAD to take a picture of Paul's burger. Have you ever seen such a huge hamburger? He barely ate the whole thing!

We had an hour wait before an alley would be ready for us, which worked out perfectly because we were starving! I was happy to eat beforehand!

More treats...

Even though we had already had so many treats, I knew I would never live it down if I didn't get him a little cake for while we were home. A miniature strawberry Ice cream cake from Baskin Robbin did the trick!

For his birthday present I reserved a room at the Coho oceanfront resort in Lincoln city in a few weeks. It will fun to get away during our spring break and celebrate his birthday even more!

Dinner at Mom & Kelly's

On Sunday (Josh's actual birthday) we went over to his parents house for dinner and dessert. Josh requested Shepherd's pie and it was great! We forgot the camera, so excuse the dull pics we took on our phones.

More chocolate cake!

Josh had specifically told me NOT to buy him either an Xbox or any Apply products. (both of which I was considering) so it was perfect the his mom & Kelly gave him one! He LOVES it & I'm excited to use the kinect.

Josh's week long birthday celebration!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Life may be super difficult at times, but we are seriously so blessed. Whenever I get frustrated about things like my school taking FOREVER, having to work full time at a stressful job, waiting to start our family until we are both done with our degrees, busy schedules, difficult callings (I teach the 17-18 year old Sunday school class and it is a major challenge!) and so many other unimportant struggles-like my hair getting totally messed up a few weeks ago by an over-priced, egotistical stylist (I'm sure you have all heard that story by now!) It is so important to reflect on how blessed & spoiled we really are. We recently celebrated Josh's 24th birthday and it was a huge week long celebration. I hope he knows how loved he is!

Some of these photos were taking by our cell phones, so excuse the horrible quality of some of them!

Josh's birthday celebration began a few days prior to his actual birthday at the Casa Del Matador in downtown Portland. Jared and Courtney joined us and it was so fun to go out with them at a restaurant we hadn't been to. The atmosphere was almost Disney-like with wall to wall votive candles, skulls, fire etc. A combination between the haunted mansion and pirates of the Caribbean. We had a blast and enjoyed a delish chocolate cake with a caramel drizzle and ice cream for dessert.



The Matador is on 23rd street downtown so I knew it would be cute before we even arrived. A co-worker of mine-Shanti, suggested it and I'm so glad we went!

Again, I know the quality of these pics are HORRIBLE, but I'm glad to have something to remember the night!



Our food was so yummy!





Leave it to Jared to make a hilarious face. =)

Happy early Birthday!

The Portland Mormon Choir

When we moved to Oregon almost a year ago, I saw in our church ward bulletin an advertisement for an upcoming concert for the Portland Mormon Choir with Jenny Oaks Baker as a guest performer. I thought about how wonderful it would be to one day be apart of this choir and even considered finding a way to start back up with voice lessons. I did a little research on the choir, but at the time they weren't holding auditions.

A little over a month ago, I was reading yet again in our Ward Bulletin and saw that the PMC was holding auditions in just two days! On a whim I decided to sign up for an audition hoping to make it, but knowing that if I didn't it would be a great learning experience and I could try again after more preparation. (after all, deciding to audition just two days prior to the audition didn't leave me much time to prepare!)

Come to find out, a great friend of mine-Courtney, had signed up to audition as well! It was so great to have a friend on board & following our auditions we were invited to stay and rehearse with the 150 member choir. What a tease! It was the PMC's first rehearsal of the season in preparation for their Easter concert in April, and I have never sung with a choir of such caliber. We were able to focus on the musicality and phrasing of each piece rather than wasting time learning each of our parts. The voices surrounding me were so angelic and blended perfectly. Its been a while since I have heard such beautiful overtones. I had been asked to sing Second Soprano, which I greatly enjoyed. I have always sung First Soprano, so singing the harmony was incredibly fun but a little unfamiliar. Each rehearsal begins and ends with prayer, with a spiritual thought in the middle. The spirit was undeniably strong in the chapel & it was a tremendous spiritual and vocal experience.

Almost a week later I received an email stating that I had been accepted into the Choir and I couldn't help but spread the good news to anyone who would listen. =) Courtney also made it (no surprise there!) and we have attended rehearsals  for the past few weeks. I have loved carpooling with Courtney and it is so great having her to share this experience with. I was given the opportunity to further audition for 1st Soprano but decided to stick with 2nd and benefit from the learning experience of singing a different part. These rehearsals have lifted my spirits and I am grateful for this opportunity to worship through song and share the light of Christ with my community.

Our first concerts are April 8th & 9th at West Lynn High School & April 10th at Willamette University which is one of the best concert venues in the Portland area. Dallyn Bayles is our guest performer and I am excited to see everything continue to come together over the next few weeks.

If any of you are interested in tickets for this fabulous concert let me know!



Lets bring in the new year!

Shortly after we got back from Utah we decided it would be fun to somewhat "redo" our New Year's Eve celebration (since ours was less than exciting) & what better way then with fondue! We had the Jared & Courtney over to help us celebrate the New Year & Jared's belated birthday. Plus I wanted to try out my new fondue pot & Cupcake tower!

By far the BEST cheese dip we've made!



Jared's extra creepy chocolate toothless grin.... =) 






Yes, Jared dipping an entire Rice Krispie treat.... YUM!

Cupcake Tower! Yes, we did eat cake after all that fondue!

Happy Birthday Jared!!!

On to the Next!

I don't recall ever feeling this excited about a new year. The past few years, although exciting and new in their own unique ways, have felt so much like a transition leading to the next stage in our life. Finally, I feel as though this year will start to get us to where we want to be. So many changes have taken place since Josh and I got married in 2008 & I am excited for what is yet to come this year. Happy 2011 everyone!

Hanging with the Hatch's!

While we were visiting in Utah over Christmas break, the Hatch's we also visiting with their families! It was so fun catching up with them and seeing our favorite two little ones in the world. We miss the Hatch's dearly!!!



We gave Mia a polly pocket that looked just like her!!! It came with cute little outfits. I miss my Mia!




Mason is so adorable....too bad we were looking at different cameras!









We <3 them!

Rodizio Grill!!!
Kira's Mom had some great coupons for lunch at Rodizio Grill so we were able to enjoy an amazing meal before flying back to Pregon. We LOVE Rodizio Grill! Thanks Hatch's for a wonderful end to our trip!

 

 Just a few more presents to open before we leave!



The Hatch's gave us an adorable miniature nativity the we can't wait to use every year!