Our First Christmas Tree!

"It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas"

December 8, 2009

I love December! I love the first snowfall (even though it's cold)! I love the Christmas Tree Zach and I put up and decorated yesterday! In short, I love the Christmas season. We are so blessed to be here celebrating Christmas together. I finished my last essay today, and so I'm feeling good. Now I just have to make it through exams, and then I can dedicate nearly all my time to enjoying this season. Zach is finishing up his last assignments. He is also looking for a new job. So when he finds a job and finishes school, he'll be enjoying the Christmas season too.

Thanksgiving in Las Vegas

November 29 2009

Zach and I spent the Thanksgiving Break in Vegas were he worked filming a football tournament. I was excited to go somewhere I'd never been before. We had a good time but were so happy to come home to Utah. We stayed at a Hotel/ Casino called Arizona Charlie's. My first impression was of the place was "smoke" and it didn't get a lot better from there. Yesterday, I stayed at the hotel while Zach went to work because I wasn't feeling well. I went to get something to eat, and then went to the elevator to go back to my room. There, you need your room key to operate the elevator. Mine card wouldn't work, so I asked the security guard. She tried my card too, but it wouldn't work for her either. Meanwhile another security guard came over and they began to interrogate me. The other key was in the room, I didn't have my phone with me, the reservation wasn't under my name, and when questioned as to what my room number was said 4065 instead of 4605 (the first of which apparently didn't exist). I was so sick and so frustrated I was about to cry. The guards must have noticed, so they gave up and finally opened the elevator for me. It was then that I realized how much I wanted to come home! We went to the strip the night we got there just to see. It was neat, but one of those experiences that once you cross it off your list of things to see, you never have to do it again! Las Vegas = done! (i'll post some pictures when I find the camera...)

COOKING is FUN!

When you get married, it seems that eating crackers and cheese for dinner is no longer acceptable. At first, I was slightly distraught by this news... How on earth was I going to be able to think of things to cook Zach... and then to actually make those things (edible!)? These are scary questions facing a newlywed college student. Fortunately, I am blessed with a husband who will eat anything I make him, experimental or not! Anyways, to overcome my fears, I decided to learn one new recipe a week... and along the way, I've learnt that Cooking is actually FUN! In the past couple of weeks, I've made: Enchiladas, Shepherd's pie, Chicken Roll-ups, Lasagna, Spaghetti, Leek and Potato Soup, Tostadas, Tortilla Soup (a definite favourite), Meatloaf (even though I'd never eaten it before), and Corn Chowder. As it turns out, cooking isn't that intimidating after all, and I've really begun to enjoy making new and yummy things... The problem is that I always too much!

Life as we know it...

Oct 24 2009

I can't believe it's almost Halloween! Gosh, time is just flying by. Classes are going well... I am actually doing the reading; which seems to make midterms a lot easier! I think Zach is really enjoying his classes as well, because not only does he edit movies at school, but also at home. I'm so glad he's found something to study that he's passionate about. Besides school, work is also going well. I just received a new district of missionaries - and half of them are going to my mission: Carlsbad California! I was so excited to share that news with them, but like much else you tell missionaries in their first day, it just flew right over their heads! Oh well, maybe in time they will appreciate how awesome their teacher is! Zach is winding down with the football season at work, but there still seems to be a lot for him to do. In short, things are Greeeeat!

Playing with Photoshop

Zach and I got a trial for photoshop... and have been playing around with it....

In Provo

Zach and I moved in to our new apartment in Provo a few weeks ago and have since been bombarded with school and work and real life again. We're getting organized... slowly. Classes are going well for both of us. Zach's excited about his digital media stuff, and I'm excited because this is my last fall semester... ever! yay! Anyways, I just thought I'd write again because it's been forever. We are in Provo. We are alive!

I SEWED!!!

I forgot to blog this... but I used a sewing machine for the first time since middle school. I made a blanket, almost entirely by myself! I think it turned out alright. Now I want a sewing machine.

-Musical Ride-

Yay for Christmas Crackers!!!

Zach - trying to understand the crazy contraption

Mounties!! They really do exist!

The Musical Ride



Weird gymnastics thing....

Zach and I after a day spraying primer and cleaning drywall dust.

What a handsome man in a painting suit

August 16th 2009

Friday night, we went to a "Musical Ride" with Mum and Dad. It's where the RCMP (yes... the Royal Canadian MOUNTED Police) dress in their "mountie" outfits and ride their horses around a field doing some really neat things. Zach was excited to see real Mounties. There were a lot of people there, apparently the Musical Ride hasn't been to the Island in 20 years! It was pretty neat. The unfortunate part was that before the ride, they had some other performances. The second one was girls aged 5-16 or so doing "dance" and "gymnastics" on horseback. Mostly they just flailed their arms about. All fourteen took a two minute turn. Just when we thought it was about to end, they started doing it in pairs. It truly was one of the weirdest things I've ever seen.
Today was Mum's birthday. To celebrate, we had Thanksgiving dinner. Well, we had Thanksgiving dinner because I missed it last year, and will miss it again this year. It was fun to have it in the middle of the summer. We also found some Christmas Crackers, so we had to do those with Zach too. He's still working on the house like crazy, and I have another week at the store. We're heading back to Utah next week, and are excited to see everyone and to get back into our routines down there!

-Filberg Festival-

August 3 2009

We spent the day at the Filberg Festival in Comox. It was neat to see all the things going on. My favourite is this nice rocking chair. Also, we saw five vultures eating a salmon on the river outside the condo this morning, which was cool.

"Adventures" on the River

July 30 2009

Adventures are supposed to be fun, right? We certainly had an adventure a few days ago, and given the fact that my bruises haven't yet healed, I'm not sure I would consider it as having been fun. First of all, it's been record hot here. It's been 34C all week long (around 94F) and really really humid. Tuesday after work, we decided to go up the Puntledge River to Stottom Falls and then tube down to the condo. We had never been to the falls before, but it had been recommended to us, so off we went.
The Falls were super neat. We'll take some pictures next time. The water washes over slate rock and causes little pools of erosion all over the place, so you end up with big pot holes to swim in all over. We made our way past the falls to waist deep water and hopped on our tubes, but the blissful floating didn't last long at all. The water became shallow and we found ourselves getting stuck, being pushed along by the force of the river, being bumped and bruised by rock after rock. We had to get out every 5 minutes or so to walk in the really shallow parts, and the river rocks were either too slippery, too sharp, or too round to walk on comfortably. That went on for long enough. Meanwhile, we weren't even sure we were going the right way. Finally, we reached the Fish Hatchery, and saw water pumped in and out of an abandon concrete building. The currents swelled around us. We got out and hiked through the forest in bare feet, soaking wet, with tubes bouncing along beside us.
Having surpassed that, we thought we were good to go, but then we saw the DANGER signs... Apparently there was an underwater barrier just ahead of us, which we were so boldly cautioned to avoid. There were cliffs on both sides of us, and fast moving water pushing us towards a seemingly invisible obstacle. My feet hurt so badly by this point. It was tough to see a way around this one. And if we couldn't circumnagivate the barrier, what would we do? We were alone, in the middle of the forest, without phones, cars, or even shoes! Zach waded up ahead of me to see better our options. There was a way a bit ahead where we could pull ourselves out of the river, so we headed to it.
Through prickles, we found an old path that led back to the water's edge. Looking back, it was clear that the "underwater barrier" was actually a small dam. We were grateful to have heeded the signs and avoided the danger that we couldn't see. Again floating towards home, we endured ragging waters having their way with us. On a low tree branch, two vultures eyed us as we passed. But, we did pass.
Nearly four hours after we began, cold, sore, and raw, we stepped dripping into the condo. We ate steak and went to bed. My dear husband and I reflected on our "adventure" and he said that he had been scared out on the river when it didn't look like we'd make it around those things that hindered our path. I knew that we'd be okay, and he did too... but he was such a wonderful strength to me as we stuggled along the riverbed.

Sick week

Well it's Sunday, so with all the extra time I have I decided to do my first post on this here blog...at least I think it's my first...if it's not, don't hold it against me. Other than Monday and today, I've been sick most of this week with some sort of flu type thing, probably the swine flu if you ask me, but whatever, I'll get over it. Anyways, The first couple days of being sick I tried to just ignore it, but when it got to it's worst point I couldn't do it anymore, mostly cause my lovely wife Sarah wouldn't let me. I think the best part of being sick was the sympathy I got form Sarah :) I love her so much for taking care of me.

I've recently been reading Tad R. Callister's book, The Infinite Atonement, and as I was reading of Christ's suffering in the garden one thing that struck me this time was the angel that came to comfort him. In a non blasphemous way I compared that to my situation. While I was in pain, the best part about it was my wife's presence and the care that she gave me. I don't think anything could've been more consoling for me at that time. I love Sarah and think she is the sweetest sweetie ever. So when you read this Sarah, just know that you're amazing!

-Weekend in Victoria-

Lauren, Jordan, Tracey, Brent, Connor and Zach watching the crab traps below.

Zach and his new friend. What a weirdo.

We decided to walk around the Sidney Harbour a bit and obviously you can't go to Sidney without snapping a picture with the scuba diver. At least that what Tracey, Jordan and I decided.

Sarah: "look Jordan, it's a whale head... and there's a whale fin over there!"
Jordan: "Where's his other hand?"

Zach and some Jelly-fish at the Sidney Aquarium

Hello, Mr I-need-a-haircut...

Zach and I spent the weekend down in Victoria with the McCullough family. It was great to see Tracey and Brent again, and of course, fun to spend a weekend with four energetic kids. Zach played with the little girls all weekend long and it was so cute to see him making up games with them and making them laugh. We went to the bank Saturday morning. Jordan was so worried we weren't going to come back. Zach told her we would be back in 4, so Jordan stuck out four fingers and waited on the driveway counting to four until Brent went out to get her. He only succeeded in bringing her in by bribing her with a trip in the truck. What a cutie! Tracey has the most amazing crafting room, so naturally, I'm feeling pretty crafty now!

The House

July 10 2009

I started work at the hardware store my parents work at two weeks ago, and since then, I've spent very little time at the house Zach's helping to build. He and Dad sided the whole front and have done lots of other things too. Here are some pictures of the things that have been keeping him busy for the past two months. I am working on my first sewing project since I was 11 and made a stuffed animal, so that's what seems to be keeping me busy lately. I'll put up pictures of the blanket I'm making if it doesn't look too bad!

-Misssing UTAH-

Who ever thought I would miss Utah while in beautiful British Columbia?? I got some pictures of our last week in Utah from my sister and those mountains are glorious! Here's some pictures...
And... HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

Zach and I at the Kennecotte Mine



Zach, Mum and I looking at the biggest tire EVER!

Sometimes, people are just made for each other...

- Just Another Day -

June 18th 2009

We were eating dinner with Mum and Dad when it happened. Over a plate of Vietnamese food, I realized that I've been home from my mission to California for one year today. I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Overall, they are good, satisfied feelings (and distinctly less-tired feelings). I went out with the sister missionaries in Courtenay for the first time today too. The lady we went to visit wasn't home. It made me feel slightly good to know that I wasn't the only one that experienced the disappointment of canceled appointments. Anyways, it's nice to know that even though I haven't worn the name tag in one year, I can still be a missionary in a different place and with a different kind of companion. :)

- Summer Fun -

June 17 2009

- Zach, "trying" to canoe - Crystal clear Comox Lake - A very large canoe on a very small car -

- Zach's Handiwork -

June 11 2009

Mostly, working on the house is all we've been up to lately.  Zach is proving to be quite handy, so I thought I'd put up some pictures of some projects that we've been working on lately.  It's been quite an adventure learning how to do all of this stuff, and then watching as Zach does it! Here are some pictures of the cedar deck Zach built and the retaining wall/ stairs he put together.

 

- Hot Hot Weather -

4-06-09

Zach and I have been enjoying/ enduring the hot spell that's hit the Island this week. Yesterday, with nothing to do at the house (because people who actually know what they are doing had work to do), we went to Lake Comox with a giant canoe strapped onto the top of our not so giant car. We canoed a bit, saw a bald Eagle really close and attempted to swim in the frigid water, and then canoed back. We both got pretty sunburned which we enjoyed today, but it was fun!

Today, we went tubing down the Puntledge River. We started a upriver from the Condo and planned to get out right at home... but the river was moving faster than either of us imagined... so we missed our exit! We floated right on by and as a result we had to hike back home in our bathingsuits and Zach without shoes. It was funny... I was just glad mom and dad didn't see us struggling to shore from the condo!

-Building Bridges... Only Not... -

05-30-09

Zach and I have spent the last couple of days building a deck at the new house. Who on earth knew that we could do that??? Or perhaps more accurately - who on earth knew that Zach could do that?!? Yesterday we stained the cedar boards and painted a bit. Today, Zach screwed all the boards onto the rafters, while I painted giant beams. Then I played with putty too. It was really fun. Now we know how to build our own house (in a million years) when the time comes!! Well, the deck at least!

- More Wedding Pictures -

These photos were taken by one of our photographers, Kittye Bowen - she's great!

- Weekend in Victoria -

05-25-09

Zach and I drove down island to Victoria this weekend. We went to finally get my passport renewed and decided to make a weekend out of it. We arrived Friday night, stopped by some old friends of mine, then went to bed. Saturday, we got up late, ate a wonderful breakfast that had been left out for us, and headed into town. In Victoria we walked around, saw the sights and had a good morning. By 2:00, we were pretty worn out - but we made one last stop at Island View Beach. We headed back to the old country house of the family friend with whom we were staying, watched the hockey game (Go Penguins!) and then napped.

We spent the evening relaxing there. Sunday, we went to my old family ward and then stopped by my old single's ward as well. It was nice to see so many old friends, but I think it was overwhelming for Zach to have to meet so many new people. It's still weird to have to introduce him as my "husband". I usually start laughing as I try to get it out, but I guess that will fade in time.

Today, we went downtown with Dad and dealt with passport stuff. We had to leave the office on two separate occasions: 1) to get my declaration of a lost passport notarized ($20 later), and then 2) after meeting with two people in the office and finishing all the required paper work, having to get new passport photos because there was a "shadow" on the ones I had. Whether or not it was a shadow or hair was questionable, but after a while, it was decided that I needed new ones. So another $20 and 20 minutes later, I was finally done. It was quite the process! We took Zach to China town and fed him Dim Sum (Chinese brunch). It was mostly entertaining to watch Zach eat questionable chinese food. We drove home (I napped) and then we had FHE. I've decided that we need more people in our family so that we each don't have to do 2-3 things as a part of FHE every week!! Anyways, that's all we've been up as of late!

- Good Ole Half-day's Work -

05-21-09
Today, we went to move more dirt. There wasn't too much to do, and our muscles were too sore to do it anyways, so we came home and napped. Then I cut all of my hair off. It feels so good, and light. We're excited for tomorrow because we're going to go down to Victoria. It'll be nice to feel like I'm at home again!

Here's Tuesday's rain. And what Zach does to occupy the down time offered by the rain.