Independence Day

Jake and I had a great 4th of July holiday. We grilled some burgers and went up by the Stadium to watch Logan's spectacular fire works show Friday night. Saturday morning we drove up to Jake's family's cabin in Black Smith Fork canyon and had breakfast with the whole clan. It was fun to see everyone. We stopped by the Hyrum parade after breakfast with our niece and nephews to make the mad dash for candy in the street. Kids make everything so fun!

I threw a bridal shower with a couple of my friends for soon-to-be Mrs. Carrie Belnap. The four of us have been a little click since early high school. They are my besties. Jake finished my parent's pantry while we played at the shower. Look at a little bit of his work. He also did all the closets and floors. It all looked amazing. It's he so handy?

On My Way

I received my results for my radiology board examination... I PASSED! What a relief to have that over with. I worried for weeks. Logan Regional has a job position available in the x-ray department. Once I receive my license in the mail from the State I can apply for the job! This is what all my education has been for and I'm excited to finally get to use it. I still have until next Spring before I graduate from my program, but it's so nice to have the oppurtunity to work now. Wish me luck!

09 Graduate

He did it! Jake's a College graduate! He's worked so hard to get his degree and he is finally done. He has earned a bachelor of science degree in Agricultural Business and a minor degree in Spanish. What a guy! I'm so proud of him. He has wanted to give up so many times but he never did. We are so relieved he is done and educated. It will be such a blessing to have that degree the way our economy is. Graduation day was great. It was very formal and short. We even had both our parents there. We appreciate everyone's gifts and support! Here are some pictures from that day.

Jake and his Dad. Handsome guys!

Jake receiving his diploma from the Dean of the college of Agriculture

Here is Jake with the other Agbusiness graduates

Other exciting news... I took a limited board exam for a license to take x-rays on the 5th. Here are the flowers Jake set out for me the day before my test. I was so nervous! Isn't he sweet? I haven't received my results yet, but hopefully I can work at the hospital soon. I plan to graduate from the radiology program next spring and received my RT license then.

Spring Rush

Jake and I feel like we've have been running a 100 miles an hour for a few weeks now. Time doesn't seem to slow down in our busy life. With spring semester winding down for both of us, we have plenty of homework and studying to do for our finals. Jake's been searching for a job because he's about to GRADUATE! We're so excited. I've been working on his announcements and getting everything he needs for the celebration. I'm so proud of all his hard work!

Here's a few pictures we've taken lately.

Snowmobilling up Cub River with Chris and Kelsey. I'd never ridden a snowmobile. It was so fun!

I got huge air! sort of.

Jake's in the red. Chris is in the yellow they really do get "huge air!"

Here's a shot of our cute, little Turtles! They're are so fun to watch swim around.

Jake's so excited to start his turkey hunt this Saturday! And we're ready for our Easter Holiday on Sunday. It seems to always be such a spiritual day and a time to reflect on our Savior.

ReXbUrG

We had an eventful trip to Rexburg a few days ago. We made the 2 1/2 hour drive ultimately for Jake's cousin Tanner's wedding. But we planned a few other fun activities. We stayed with my friend Liz and her cute little family, Brett and Avery. We had so much fun playing Wii and basketball up on campus. We felt out of place since our gym clothes didn't match the other BYU Idaho students! :) The next morning we met Jake's parents @ the luncheon for the soon-to-be couple, very delicious. Then to kill time we went to a flee market. Luckily we did because we wouldn't have found our new TURTLES! Sorry I don't have a picture. But they're about the size of a half dollar, and they're sooooo cute! We named them Rex and Colada. The sealing was wonderful, the temple was beautiful and the weather... frigged, bone chilling, painful. :) But don't we look warm?

Smile Jake! He was hungry...

After we got home that night Jake got to shoot for a new car at the Aggie basketball game! He made his lay-up and foul shot, but couldn't quit pull off and extra 3 pointer and half court shot in 25 seconds! He did so awesome.

Delivery

Jake came home the other night with a surprise from his parents. I was shocked when Jake and his friend came through the door with their hands full! After a few trips to the truck and back look what I had in my living room.



Sweet Leon and Becky gave us a new mattress set. We had been indecisive about a wedding gift (I know like almost two years) and they just decided to get it done.

Here's the finished product. I have to use a little hop to get in bed now. It feels so fancy. Thanks so much, we love you!

Jake's newest piece...

TADAAA!


We had a wonderful Valentines Day! We both had to work a little during the day but we're grateful for the opportunity to work. (A simple blessing you can't take for granted.) We had decided earlier in the week that for Valentines we wanted to just grab some yummy Pizza Hut and watch our favorite team on t.v. (GO AGGIES) So we got an amazing deal at Pizza Hut. Two medium pepperoni pizzas for $8.60! Yeah ask them to give you a "real deal" and they'll cut your bill by $5! And I made some fun "love cake." Who doesn't love a night to stay at home with your best friend and relax?

Unfortunately the Aggies lost after a 19 game winning streak but we're fans none-the-less. And.... the newest addition to Jake's crafty collection......

So beautiful right?! Well as skilled as he is... he actually just sanded and repainted it. It used to be white. Our sweet friends Chris and Kelsi gave it to us and Jake vowed to fix it up for me. Look how he scuffed the slats and edges. I love, LOVE IT, and I LOVE my Jake!

Spontaneously Sweet

Jake does more than enough to show me he loves me everyday. But look at this sweet, little suprise I found when I can home the other day.

He also jumped right on my request for a larger bookshelf. He cut it all out at the shop and had me a new one the next day!

Before

After

Jake's friend made this for us for Christmas. Jake and I loved it so much, he made one for my family for Christmas. Really creative!

I need to keep a record of all these wonderful things Jake does for us. He's such a handman and I love bragging about him. Don't forget Jake's other passion.... hunting/fishing. Here's Jake sturgeon fishing with my dad in Hegerman, Idaho over the weekend.

Our friend hooked Jake up with some great duck hunting just last week. He conveniently forgot all about class and played outside with his gun all day! He came home so sunburned. Little boy.

And he's been begging me to take pictures of this old boat he restored. It's absolutely amazing. I'll post that soon.

Vomit, Diarrhea, Dehydration...oh my

Here's the aftermath of Jake's 24 hour illness. Luckily Walmart is 3 minutes away and they never close! Good wifey. I made some apple pie at his request to celebrate his recovery. I waited a couple days so he wouldn't purge that too.

Our Holiday

Christmas was so fun this year. We spent the 23rd through the 26th in Burley and then through the 29th in Highland. I know... that's a lot of driving. Especially when all the roads are CLOSED and you have to take the long way around! But we were so happy to spend time with both families and not have to pay a fortune in gas. (knock on wood)

(It's a boot drier)

Jake's ready to go Duck hunting in his new boat.... (future post soon coming illustrating "new boat")


I definately got spoiled as well. This was just the best shot with my new running shoes.

My little sisters were a hoot Christmas morning! (as always) They are so fun to be with. I love being the big sis.

We had a sleep over in Highland with our nieces and nephews. They were so excited to have us. We watched Karate Kid!

We went to a party with all Jake's hunting guide buddies. Check out all those good lookin guys.

Other great things we did not captured on camera:

1. Body Worlds... AMAZING. I know my focus now is a little more centered on bones but I can't say I HAVEN'T studied the whole body in my day. Love it all!

2. Loa (a.k.a. Jake's favorite place in the world! Jake's grandparents live there. He spent Summers there working on the farm. He wants us to live there.... now you're filled in.

3. New Years Eve! We watched the Aggies win in over time in the Championship game at the Duel in the Desert tornament. Then counted down with some friends after.

Snow and Fun

Jake and I were able to attend the marriage and sealing of one of his great friends. It happened to be on the Friday with ALL the snow! It was SO COLD! But it was so peaceful in the the temple. Everytime we get to attend a sealing I can't help but tear up when I remember the day Jake and I knelt over the alter for the first time. So many amazing promises. JJ married the sweetest girl, Susan. She was so gorgeous! And tall...like 6 feet! Such a wonderful couple.

Saturday we were given tickets to the Bar J Wranglers! They are such a fun group to watch. They have amazing voices and funny stories. They even threw in a little Christmas theme. And with songs about roundn' up cattle and riding horses, Jake was on the end of his chair laughing and listening with his mouth open the whole time! He was so excited to buy one of their CDs. You know Jake...Yee Haw! I was entertained by the yodeling! (Is that how you spell that?) Click play on the video to listen to this guy.

Now it's time for Family and a break! MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Young Women in Excellence

My calling in our ward is the Young Women Personal Progress Advisor. It's a great calling. I get to be with the youth... even though I've only been out of high school for 3 1/2 years, and have all sorts of fun @ mutual every Tuesday night! Plus Jake is the Young Men President so we get so see each other even more! Recently we had Young Women in Excellence. A night where the girls get to display some accomplishments from their personal progress. They all had beautiful quilts that the girls designed. I was in charge of refreshments!

I decided to make my mom's Cheese Cake. It's like no other cheese cake you've ever had. WAY BETTER!

These are my compadres. They do so much for the girls. Definately the "coolest" bunch of leaders. I thought the night turned out great. We had some wonderful speakers and a great theme. "Make Your Life a Masterpiece." We focused on the Savior and his life as a masterpiece. It was a spiritual experience that I wouldn't have missed for anything. I'm so blessed to have such inspiring people in my life.

Jake and I are getting ready to go to Burley, Idaho to spend Christmas with my family. What a busy time. I hope everyone has a nice holiday.

Tree Hunting

Jake and I had a blast this Saturday. We went tree hunting.. excuse me... "huntin." It's so nice to just spend the whole day with your best friend. Jake can make me laugh like no one else. Plus he always thinks I'm beautiful. So sorry if I scare anyone with my roll-out-of-bed appearance.

Good moring Cache Valley!

Sippn' some hot cocoa.

We were driving north to Cub River, and look what we spotted. "HONDA LIMO!" We couldn't believe it either.

We found some wild turkeys. You should have heard Jake's turkey impression.

Jake's the eagle eye that spotted the perfect tree.

It had an old bird nest in it! Sweet decoration.

Tickets? To the gun show!

Here's the moment of glory! The THRILL, the EXCITEMENT.... the DANGER!

okay... not so dangerous.


I'm happy with my tree.

Ha I love this picture. Little chicken legs.

Whoa... that's definately mine!

Check out our sweet truck. Good ol' yoda

I got to use my new bulbs I got on sale @ Tai Pan after Christmas last year.

Finished product!

We Give Thanks

Jake and I spent the holiday with his side of the family in Highland this year. We had a blast with the Nelson group and some cousins this week. Dinner was so delicious and the company was even better. I love being with family! We had lots of fun playing games, shooting clay pigeons, watching movies, stuffing our faces every meal and just hanging out.

Jake, me and Kenedy (niece) playing bingo after dinner

Thanksgiving day at Uncle Dennis and Aunt Jeannine's home.

Jake teaching me some skills, I learn from the master


What a team

All the girls went to Twighlight on Saturday. I thought the movie was great. I was expecting a let down. But they did a pretty good job. This is Jentry and I in the back seat so excited for the movie.

I was born on Election Day

I turned 22 on the 4th. I was expecting a normal week day but Jake made it so fun! He got up early with me and made bacon and eggs, my fav. When I got through with school I stopped into the polls and CAST MY VOTE...my first time might I add. (Last election was two days before my 18th birthday) Jake had a yummy lunch all ready for me when I got home. I opened my cards and gifts from our family and decided to go work a few hours that afternoon. When I got home Jake had the best surprise waiting by the door for me. He made this BEAUTIFUL table for our doorway!

He set my other gifts neatly on top for me to see all at once. The table is so amazing. The colors match the other furniture he's made for me. With the red paint scuffed through. I had just barely mentioned to him that it would be nice to have a skinny, little table to set against the wall earlier that week! He whipped it up in only a few hours. I can't get enough of how sweet and wonderful he is. What a handy man!

Call me immature but I did ask for the Disney Princess collection. I'm NOT gonna grow out of it.

And.... I know I'm super spoiled, there's more. But he also picked up this dish drying rack and new cheese grater for the kitchen. He remembers everything I say! What a great guy.

We went out to Calloways for dinner and had a blast snickering about our feminine waiter. Jake will always be my favorite person to laugh with. I love his clever personality.

My wonderful hubby is also a natural BETTY CROCKER. He made this peach pie from scratch that afternoon! Can you read what it says in the crust? It was delicious needless to say.

So we had our pie and ate it too... (I never understood what that meant) while we watched the election status. We were disappointed when they announced our new president. I'm a little frightened honestly with the country's decision. But that didn't ruin my day. See my cheezy grin?

Thanks for all your hard work and patience Jake! Love you hun!