Late V-Day

I love Jared more everyday. He really is my best friend. I love spending the simple moments together, mostly because, life with Jared is just fun. We can be the biggest dorks together, but I love that we keep each other laughing. He can make me smile and laugh when I'm down, even if that means he's tickling me against my will saying, "You like it. See you're smiling. I know this makes you happy because you're smiling." He is great at showing me affection and making me feel like a priority in his life. I love him because he is a genuine guy and loves what is right. He's such a strength for me. I love that he likes to get out and do fun things with me. He is a great navigator, and he really loves trains. :) I'm lucky to have such an appreciative husband. He thanks me for little things, like his lunch, everyday. He's also a champ at pac-man. Now that's a skill I really admire. He's a wonderful husband,and I feel so lucky to have him!

For Valentine's Day we went to Cafe Lux for dinner, but wussed out on ice skating because it was freezing. We'll go soon though. :)

. . visitors . .

Heather, Aaron, Hallie, and Peyton all came to visit a couple of weeks ago! It was a short trip, but it was so fun to have family come and visit! Hallie and Peyton are the best little girls, not to mention absolutely adorable! They were so good! We made pancakes and cookies, read stories, painted Hallie's nails (& no John I didn't spill it this time), walked by the lake, played at the park, and just hung out. I loved every second of it! I feel so lucky to have such a great family and the cutest nieces ever!





Three of my closest friends also came to visit! It was so fun to have Abbey, Amber, and Katie here! I feel so lucky to have grown up with such amazing friends. We had a lot of fun seeing some of the sights, shopping, eating great food, catching up and remembering funny times. I've known these girls since I was five and I just love them! They are all hilarious and it's fun because we all know each other so well. I appreciate them making the trip out here so much! Really, they are the best!

i LoVe my nieces and nephew.

I was spoiled over Christmas break because I got to spend lots of time with my nieces and nephew! Now I'm missing them a lot. They are so much fun! I love them so much! I can't wait for Heather to get here this weekend with her two girls. Being an aunt is the best!

MLK Day

Jared and I went to the African American History Museum on Martin Luther King Day. It was an interesting experience, and I'm really glad we went. We watched dancers decked out in Obama gear, made bookmarks with MLK quotes on them, and we watched a film about the 1960's Civil Rights Movement.

Long Over Due

I've been meaning to post about Christmas break for a LoNg time. I kept thinking I'd scrapbook all my pictures first, but since I haven't, I'll post anyway. I was lucky enough to go home for Christmas for 33 days! I left before Jared had finals so I could play and he could study. It was so great to be with my family! Before moving to Chicago I had never been away from home for more than a few weeks, so it was really nice to be back. Jared's family came to Utah too, so that was fun to spend time with them. Some of my favorite things about the break were:
Playing cards/games with our families
Sleeping in
Lots of family parties
The nativity scene
Good food
Staying up talking with the family
Seeing 9 Pounds
Sledding
Drinking all the Diet Dr. Pepper I wanted
The presents Jared gave me (Pac-man and a canvas and paint)
Spending lots of time with Jared. I love him.
Bowling with my whole family! It's not too often that we can get everyone together.
Playing video games
Seeing my Grandpa
Going to dinner with some of my closest friends
Learning to knit
Making gingerbread houses
Having a huge breakfast on Christmas morning
The Christmas pajamas I bought Jared and me.
Seeing my new niece Kate. She's precious.

Thanksgiving in Texas

We were able to go to Jared's house in Texas for Thanksgiving. It was great! The weather was a lot warmer than here. I have to say that's the first time I've been hot while putting up Christmas decorations. His family was so nice to us and we had fun eating great food, playing games, and watching movies together. Somehow the only picture we got was of us at some shops.
Something fun Jared and I did for the month of November was put up this dorky turkey and write things each day that we were thankful for. We also hung up quotes around the house to remind us to be grateful. I know that there are so many blessings that come through being thankful.

Photoshop

So I just started to learn how to do photoshop. It's been a lot of fun to try and make scrapbook pages without all the mess and crooked edges. It's also been really time consuming, but I really enjoy it. I was really excited when I got the e-mail about a FREE snapfish book, but I'm an IDIOT and I thought the deadline was yesterday, but when I went to purchase it online I was really sad to realize the deadline was Saturday. Oh well right. It's given me something fun to do for awhile.

Our First Obama Sighting!

On Saturday we both got up close and personal with the
President Elect, Mr. Obama. I was working out when secret service men started roaming around, so I knew he'd be coming. I didn't know I'd still be on the bike an hour and a half later waiting for the man. Sure enough he did come walking in. He walked right in front of my machine, got on a treadmill and walked while he read the paper. A little strange to have the President Elect working out in the same small room with you. How do you not, at least a little bit?
Then Jared was leaving the apartment and when his elevator opened the secret service told him to wait there. Unexpectedly Mr. Obama was right there! He turned and looked Jared in the face. Jared nodded, and Obama nodded back.
It feels like a movie when you walk through the halls of your building and there are secret service people roaming everywhere in their black coats.

Sunday Ice Cream!

I love Sundays! It has been so fun to be with Jared for all three hours of church. We love teaching the five year olds! Church was really funny yesterday because it was the Primary Program. The kids have so much personality and energy! I love it. They are seriously hilarious.I couldn't help but but get the giggles on stage. Between children screaming the songs in my ears, pushing each other to be in the front, and spontaneous outbursts whenever it got quiet, I just couldn't help but laugh. Our kids definitely weren't the most well behaved kids, but by the third hour of church what five year old wants to sit still and be quiet? I'm almost convinced it is impossible for some children. :)
I also love Sundays because it means homemade ice cream! Since we've been in Chicago we've made ice cream every Sunday. It's been a lot of fun to try to new things! I love that Jared loves this tradition. Without fail, he insists we make it on Sunday, even if we just had dessert at a friend's house, had a big dinner, or it's 11'oclock at night. If I suggest making it a different night he responds with, "What's today? What day do we make ice cream? I'm going to pretend you didn't ask that." Secretly when I was in Iowa he even tried to make it without me. I think he realized he does need me.
The picture is of this weeks vanilla bean ice cream and Grandma's chocolate sauce! It was really good! It called for a real vanila bean which we thought was fancy. My college roommates who saw me eat nothing but, cereal, quesadillas, pasta roni, and gushers would be shocked to know I actually have been cooking.

Halloween at Heather's

This last weekend I went to Heather's house! It was so much fun to spend time with her and her cute girls.I love them so much! Hallie was so cute trick-or-treating. She was all for it! Peyton is such a cute baby! She's so happy and cuddly! It was fun to see Hallie be such a great big sister. She's always kissing her and saying, "Pey Pey. Hi sweetheart. Hi." She also carries her baby around all day mimicking Heather by changing her diaper, wrapping her up in a blanket, feeding her etc. I'm so grateful that Heather and Aaron would let me come and stay! It was great, especially since Jared was in Indiana.