road bike

look what i'm getting as an early birthday gift this year!

isn't she a beauty?

now if it will only STOP snowing...

Top that!

just because.

puppy!

so i gave up on the plant and convinced steve that we should move onto the next step...

puppy-parenthood! meet the newest dalton, his name is rumbi. he is a 2 year old yorkie.

and we are so in love with him.
our next door neighbor has had him since he was just a wee pup, but she's single and works alot so she felt guilty that he was trapped inside all day. she asked if we wanted him and of course
i felt like a little kid on christmas!

so far he rules the house. he is super playful and pretty much wants steve to entertain him all day long. hahah. i am so sad that i have to go to work while they stay home and play. but then i come home and they are all tuckered out so i get "cuddly rumbi."
poor steve. he does all the work and i get the reward!
mwahhahaha...

i told steve "just remember this when we have kids, then you'll have your turn."

v.day gift guide

valentine's is just around the corner and oh, i'm so excited. i have always been a fan of this holiday of love, even during my singlehood years. i love a thoughtful homeade gift from a friend or a clever card with a friendly greeting sent in the mail. or an entire outfit from banana. :)

doesn't matter how big or small the gesture, an expression of love in any form is always appreciated. always.

here are some of my own valentine's day gift crushes.

under $5

ha. i absolutely LOVE a witty card with a handwritten message inside. and anything letterpress. adore. this one is from a local utah company too! it just keeps getting better doesn't it? check out the website for even more... click here

under $10

can we say album of the year...seriously, what girl wouldn't love this? {assuming she hasn't already got it} even all you self-proclaimed "country haters" admit it, you kinda love her...

under $15

i am dying over this adorable heart locket necklace.

and with a tiny little heart-shaped picture of a loved one inside...presh.

at only $14, this makes a perfect valetine's day gift for your sweetheart. or yourself. or me.

there you go...now

spread the love people.

nature v. nurture

so when i started here at WGU {in august} i bought a little green plant to brighten up my dull cube, to keep me company and well, let's be honest, to see if i could keep something alive...

every newlywed couple thinks about this. the day after you get married people start asking you "so..when are you planning to 'start' a family?" whenever i'm talking to my sister and there happens to be a short pause in the conversation she asks "are you PREGNANT?!" no, people. this is not an annoucement. what i'm trying to say is after you get married the next "big thing" you start to think about is....can i really keep something alive...like something as important as a baby?! well, of course the initial thought is "whoa! let's not get ahead of ourselves..i mean, that's a big responsibility.." then... "hmmm, how about a dog? could i take care of a dog? no, no, those have to be trained..let's start smaller..how about a plant?! yeah, i could do that. i could take care of a plant. just needs water and sunlight, right? easy."

so that's what i did. i got a plant. and here we are 5 months later and its still alive! barely.

{this is very sad because my mom, with her green thumb, happened to have the most coveted garden and flower beds in the neighborhood. i thought after all that childhood slave labor, pulling weeds, i would have inherited some of her abilities... but alas..}

now compare that to some of my co-workers plants... {oh, and apple bear..he is matthew's pet apple.}

heck, if the plant could just tell me what it wants! less water? more sun? a cuter pot? what?!

needless to say, sorry little crew, it might be awhile before you have another cousin...

one year ago

i can't believe we have hit the one year mark...time goes so fast!

we have been blessed to go to some amazing places and make many wonderful memories during our first year. sometimes, i feel like it must be a dream.

i have grown so much this past year and having steve by my side is the best part.

i love experiencing all that life has to offer, together.

i cherish this time.

best of 2009

happy new year!