I want to thank you for giving me the best day

I just wanted to say a big thank you to Chad's mom, Jolene (or Grandjomama as the kids call her) for always being willing to come and stay with the kids while Chad and I go gallivanting around on our numerous dates. Thank you especially to her for the fun Anniversary date we got to go on. We went to The Roof at Temple Square which was so incredibly romantic. It was a delicious (though expensive) buffet with a pianist taking requests and we had seats right next to the window with a gorgeous view of the Temple. The Roof was the perfect place to go for our anniversary and reminisce about our wedding 8 years ago at the Salt Lake Temple. (We also were able to finally use the gift card my brother gave to us like 2 years ago! Thanks, Ben!)

Anyhow, our kids love the many visits from Grandmas and Grandpas! You are their favorite playmates! We appreciate all you do for us. Love you!

Crazy for this Boy!

Happy Anniversary Sweetie! I can't believe it has been eight years! 8 years of joyful marriage bliss, of course!

Chad is always super thoughtful and thinks of sweet sentimental gifts to give me. The fifth year is silverware, so he gave me "silver" jewelry (with 5 twisted hoops on it that represented the 5 years) that I could "wear." Thought that was clever! The modern tradition for year 6 was wood, so he gave me a mahagony jewelry box that I love. I didn't have that much really nice jewelry before but because of all the nice things Chad has given me I now have a beautiful collection to be proud of.

Traditional 8th wedding anniversary gifts are made of Bronze or Pottery, so this year he gave me some beautiful Bronze jewelry (bracelet, necklace and earrings) with hearts on it. It is so fun receiving gifts that years from now I will be able to remember when and why I got them.

I have been feeling so much joy in my life lately. Much of what I feel is due to Chad and all that he has given me. He has given me four beautiful children that are the best kids anyone could ever have! Chad has been a wonderful example of financial independence and stability which has brought peace to our family especially considering the state the economy is in right now. Chad has been my spiritual rock to lean on. He has always kept close to the spirit and he listens well to its whisperings. Chad is Mr. Fix-it! - Recently, he fixed our HD Tivo. (and you know how essential that is!) He actually sautered on new capacitors to replace the old ones that had burst. (I am sure he will make a post soon about that whole ordeal.) I am always impressed with his desire to learn to do things himself. If it is more economical for him to do it and he figures out how, then he will.

Chad is the best friend anyone could have. He listens well and you know how I love to tell stories. We make the perfect pair. I am so grateful that he found me. I am so glad that we got married and sealed together 8 years ago. I love you, Chad!

Here comes the Bride...

Chad's Sister Staci got married today to a wonderful guy named Jason. They are such a cute couple. We are so happy for them! Allison got to be the flower girl and Drew was the ring bearer.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Some Enchanted Evening

A girl from a family in our ward just got married and they had a reception at her parent's mansion and it was probably the most fancy, extravagant wedding reception I have been to in a while. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing pretty bad at some point so they had to turn off the four chocolate fountains because they were coating all the guests' clothes with chocolate rather than the goodies. They had probably close to 1000 people there. For Music, they had harps and a piano being played. Later they brought in a D.J. to play the current wedding hits and have a little bit of dancing. They were using several golf carts to cart people up and down the hills to their house. The couple had on display their beautiful four tiered lemon and chocolate cake with miniature cakes surrounding it. They had 10 canopies all with different foods to fill you up on catered by Culinary Crafts, accompanied with about 50 servers at your beck-and-call. They offered a delicious Maple-glazed Salmon, homemade breads and rolls, salads, pastas, marinated Pork, chicken, and something that everyone else but me had seen before called a candy bar that had a huge selection of candy and chocolates all in the appropriate wedding colors of red, black, and white. Each guest could make an assortment and put it into a baggie as a wedding favor. It was fun! Mine was probably twice the size of Chad's. (not surprised, I'm sure!)