Sweet Erin

I want to dedicate this post to my sister Erin. I can hardly write through the tears, but I had to express my love for her. Erin passed away today. She has really struggled for the last few years and I think Heavenly Father knew it was time to bring her home. I feel great comfort knowing that she isn't suffering anymore, but I want my sister back. I would give anything to hold her and tell her one more time how much I cherish and love her. I am so grateful to know that families can be together forever. I know I will be with Erin again. I know that I am a better person because of her Christlike example. I love you sweet sister. "Nite, love you, see you in the morning."

My attempt at photography

We went to a wedding recently on Temple Square in Salt Lake City and the flowers on the grounds were so beautiful I decided to take some pictures. I think they turned out
nicely! I have so many friends that are amazing photographers, not to mention my grandfather who takes some of the best photos in the world. These pictures are dedicated to Popi!

The best birthday present ever

Just when I thought Neal could never surprise me, he did. He got a picture of the Nauvoo Temple for my birthday. I have been obsessed with this picture for the last year and have wanted it more than just about anything. The picture is quite expensive because not only is it beautifully framed, it has been aged. So although it is the modern temple, it looks like a picture of the temple from the 1840's. I have been crazy about Nauvoo since I was about 13 and am so thrilled to have this beautiful reminder in my home of the place I love. Neal worked very hard to get it for me so thank you hunny, for the best birthday present in the world!

Careful what you wish for.....

Over the past year I have been telling Neal I wished I could get the stomach flu so I could lose a bunch of weight. Well, I got it and I think I am going to die! Along with throwing up non-stop and not being able to leave the bathroom for more than 5 minutes at a time, my body feels like it has been hit by a truck. I hurt in places I never imagined I could hurt. And the frustrating thing is, just when I thought I was getting better, it started all over again! I am grateful for movies and good neighbors and friends this week who have helped take care of the kids. I hope from now on I have learned my lesson and in the future will be very careful about what I wish for!

The Love List

I saw this on my friend Natalie's site and hope she doesn't
mind that I did it as well.

Neal and I never took any pictures while we were dating for some reason. The picture on the right is 1 of the 4 pictures we took together during that time. Isn't that sad? I guess I had other things on my mind!!


What is your significant other's name? Neal

How long have we been married? 7 years in June

How long did we date? 7 1/2 months

How old is he? 34

Who eats more? Neal hands down. His dad is in the food industry and they grew up eating a lot!

Who said "I love you" first? Neal. We were sitting in the car and
had only been on a few dates when he said it. I didn't really believe him.

Who is taller? Neal

Who sings better? Me, but Neal does have a wonderful voice.

Who is smarter? Neal

Whose temper is worse? My temper is much worse than Neal's. Neal can get mad and frustrated, but I don't really think he has a temper.

Who pays the bills? We both do....kinda.

Who does the laundry? We both do, although I don't like to fold clothes very much, so Neal does most of the folding.

Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time. Neal is always willing to help although he has no
confidence in his cooking ablilities. He really is a great cook.

Who drives when together? I drive a lot because I have the car all day. Neal never really
has liked to drive very much.

Who is more stubborn? Me by far. I am the red-head after all.

Who is the first to admit when wrong? We both do.

Who wears the pants in the family? hmmmm, I would say me, but really I think it must
be Olivia.

Who mows the lawn? Both of us. I never got to mow the lawn growing up so I love
to do it.

Who kissed who first? Neal kissed me first. I had only kissed just a little before we started
dating so the first time he tried I started laughing. Neal was insulted at first, but that didn't seem to stop him!

Who asked who out first? Neal asked me out after we had hung out for two Sunday's in a
row. I was really surprised because I had a cold sore at the time and thought he would be grossed out. I knew then he had to be someone special!

Who proposed? Neal proposed to me at the Repartee Art Gallery in Orem. He had painted a
collage of things that meant something to us while we were dating and he got permission to hang it in the Gallery. It was very sweet and romantic. Unfortunately, the Gallery is gone and it is now the Happy Sumo restaraunt. And sadly, the spot that he proposed is now the women's bathroom!

What is your favorite thing about him? Neal makes me want to be a better person. He is always striving for excellence and puts his heart into everything he does. That and his enthusiasm and zest for life are my favorite things about Neal! I Love you sweetheart!

Our First table

After 7 years of marriage, Neal and I finally broke down and bought a new table! It was such a good deal we couldn't pass it up. It has changed the entire atmosphere of our kitchen and as usual for me, sometimes I like it and sometimes I don't. (Just like the blue paint in the kitchen.) I must say it is a step up from the round table we were using before that came from Neal's dad's restaurant. It was a dirty ugly, heavy table that left rust all over the floor and almost killed our kids a few times! I am happy to move on! Now if I can just stop being so uptight about having something nice....maybe I'll let the kids eat off of it in a year or two!!

Kung Fu Kid

Joseph loves to dress up in different costumes but he is always the same thing.....a kung fu fighter! Our Ward is having a talent show in a few weeks and Joseph has informed me that he will be participating as a kung fu fighter, then he will be singing
a song and then he will kung fu fight again! He's got skills!