Why I Love HIM

I know I just keep giving you all snapshots of our life,  but that's all I can get around to right now.
We have been living the dream having fun with family and friends.  We love the life we have and make the most of it, even though we don't have everything.

To start with, do you know how sneaky Scott is?  Let me show you...

 I know these might be from quite a while ago, but they are from when he started.  I would always get worried when I heard an alarm go off on my phone, but then when I saw what it was, I would get the biggest smile! Seriously though.  These sweet alarms/reminders have been so wonderful and alway cheer me up when I need it most.  Thank goodness he hasn't set any in the middle of the night...I might not get a big smile at that time, but I'd still get a smile.

As some of you may know, Scott and I are regular gym goers.  We love the way it makes us feel and cherish the times we get to go together.  A few weeks ago Scott was trying to max-out and squat 500 pounds! Crazy, right?!  I definitely wasn't the one spotting him on that lift.  Here he is getting in the "zone" to go for it.  Sadly, the gym we were at didn't have the exact weights we needed, so he ended up attempting 505 lbs.  That ended up being too much.  So he's working at it again and is going to try and max-out sometime soon.

 Anyways...this is one thing that I love about Scott.  His continuous desire to push himself and do better. He is like this in so many aspects of his life.  He is always wanting to do more and do better to better himself and our family.  There is always room for improvement in his eyes, and I love that vision he has.

Scott absolutely LOVES his family.  We love when we are all able to get together, whether it be with family on his side, or my side.  It's a party and full of laughs and good times.  Anytime I get to see him with his nieces or nephew is a glimpse of what our lives may one day be.  He has so much fun and let them know he cares for them and loves them all at the same time.  I have been blessed to have found such a wonderful man that is so gentle and loving with children continually.

I couldn't help adding this one...he is so happy to have all those little kiddies around him.

They're all so grown up now.  They were so little in this picture!

Scott is so hard working and willing to serve those around him.  Now that Scott doesn't play rugby, he still finds a way to spend time with the team.  He is able to help organize a service day with the team and do great things.  This year they went to prep for winter by raking leaving, cleaning out the rain gutters, moving things around, and cleaning playgrounds.  It seemed like so much work, but when you get those boys going they get the job done.  It only took and hour, when I thought it was going to take a few hours!  Here they are after the hard work and representing their team through and through to show that you need to give back to your community, when they give so much to you.  

If that doesn't say enough, then come and talk to me because I seriously love Scott so much!

He's always there, cheerful, patient, funny, spiritual, hard working, driven, loving, and determined.  

He isn't all mine, because I share him with all of you, so you can have him in your life too :)

Here's to Scott and the wonderful man that he is!

Home for the Holidays

This year, we headed back to California for the holidays.  

It was a fun reminder of the many memories we made there last year when we got married.  

Not only did we get to spend time with family, we also got to take a walk down memory lane.  

What's a road trip with junk food and healthy food to enjoy!

We got in town just in time to be able to go and celebrate this cuties birthday.  It's so fun to be able to go out to California and see Scott's brothers family as well.  

She's growing up too fast...already has a car of her own. 

We were given Lego's as a gift from the Andrus6 and I had a pretty darn good time putting them together.  

Happy 1 Year to US!

Saved our cake and everything! We tried it out and guess what...it was AMAZING! Still just as delicious as it was a year ago.  

When I get home, my mom and I always get busy with a lot of baking.  Here are a few of the things we made.  Stay tuned and I'll be sharing some of those recipes too.  

Mom's famous rolls.

Mom's cinnamon rolls

Just a little flashback.  While Scott was finishing up his last semester, I was off track.  So, with all that extra time, I got busy with a little project.  Scott has always wanted his rugby jerseys framed to remember the championships he won with the BYU Rugby team.  

On his last day I surprised him with this!

Please excuse my reflection...

Here's to hoping all the memories keep coming and getting better each and every year.  

And a big thanks to all of you that are so patient with me and my "under-construction" blog lately.  Things are just not working out the way I would like, but I'm starting to like the look and simplicity of it now.  

Happy Saturday! 

Fast Forward >>

These last few weeks, or should I say months, have been a bit crazy.  

A new school year has started for me.  I feel like I'm doing my first year of teaching all over again.  Switching from one grade to another is a lot of work, but there are some advantages that are making it a little easier.  

Scott is so busy with work, and doing great with it as well.  He is also finishing up his last 2 classes before he graduates in December! I know it's a lot for him, but he's doing great and I'm so proud of him!

As for our lives and all that we've been doing, here is a little fast forward of what we've done the last few months...

AUGUST

We were able to go to the park next to our apartments and watch the super moon rise.  It took a while for Mr. Super Moon to show his face, but it was incredible when he finally did!  The not so incredible part of the night was I got back to our place and had close to 30 mosquito bites! Ugh...that was more bites than I got when I was a Girls Camp a few weeks before!

Olivia is a absolutely amazing!

For the past several months she has been suffering form severe back pain caused by a fractured disc in her back that was pinching a nerve.  Not only did it cause back pain, but it also caused pain through the lower left side of her body.

It was a miracle how it all happened, but she was scheduled for back surgery with the best doctor in Sacramento, all within 3 days.  The doctor performed the surgery and came out to tell my parents that it was a complete success...and it has proven true!

Olivia is someone that has dreams and goals, with nothing coming in the way to stop her.  She has been dreaming of playing volleyball for BYU for the past few years and now she is even more determined to get back on the court to push forward through recovery and be the best volleyball player she can be. 

 Scotty boy had a birthday! He's getting older, and wiser...that's for sure!

It was a fun day to celebrate, at least the time when we weren't at work.  We got home and Scott was able to see the fun presents that were waiting for him, and surprises too!

 I was so sneaky...I surprised Scott with a new phone.  He didn't ask for one, but he was in need of a new one, so why not!

SEPTEMBER

Something that I never imagined happening, really did happen...

Xochitl, my mission companion, from Chihuahua Mexico, is now living in Provo!

We were able to get together and catch up.  She has lived such an incredible life and is an inspiring woman.  I look up to her and cherish her friendship each and every day.

Road Trip!

We had a trip planned to go home, but weren't expecting the company of Dadio.  He had to come out last minute and it just worked out that we could all drive back together!

This was also the last trip that Scott and I took in Mario.  Olivia now has her license and Mario to go along with it.  She is loving Mario, but she now calls him "Maria"...if only she knew he was really Mario :)

While on our trip to visit my parents, we also made it down to San Francisco and had so much fun sight seeing, watching the spray paint artists, break dancers, and much more...

Scott and Dad enjoying their bonding time while they organize their new wallets.  Oh, so exciting! 

This past weekend, we were able to head down to Moab with our friends, the Stodmeisters.  Scott and I went last year with our singles ward and went rafting down the Colorado River, but we weren't able to see all the other fun adventures there.  We went hiking day after day and loved seeing the beauty in this world that is hard to believe is really there.  If you haven't been, go! It's worth it all.   

Fall is here now and I am so excited for the few things we have planned, but even more excited to see the changing leaves and this beautiful season!

Hope you're all excited too!