Daisypath Anniversary tickers
Lilypie Third Birthday tickers
Lilypie First Birthday tickers

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I is for.... Incredible 2008

Now that 2008 is almost over it's fun to think of the things that we did this year and were blessed with. Here are some of the milestones that happened to us in 2008 (sorry if some of this is old news):
  • We were married one year on Dec. 14th and were eternally sealed on Dec. 20th.
  • We spent Christmas in Denver
  • We have dealt with a grand total of 5 different address changes and 4 different wards
  • We had a great summer in West Yellowstone living on a ranch and riding lots of horses
  • We adopted Jack, our crazy, loving dog, in Feburary
  • We had a great time at Red Fish Lake for the Tim Bronson family reunion
  • Sarah got away from work and Craig to go to Bear Lake with the girls
  • Craig worked at Broulim's, the Ranch and Brent's lawn care. He now is at Wingers and Pocock trucking.
  • Sarah worked at Sports Authority, the candy store, Biker Girl, Wesern Wats. She is now at the hospital.
  • We got a new car in July- out with the Intrepid and in with our sweet Mailbu.
  • Jack broke his leg at the ranch
  • We went to the Old Faithful Inn for a very expensive birthday dinner for Sarah
  • We said goodbye to our turtles, Gene and Pipsqueak
  • We also said goodbye to our bunny Kokomo but said hello to the new bunny Peanut
  • Sarah got readmitted to BYU-Idaho and will go to school in April
  • We owned a horse for a few days then gave it to Ross
  • We nearly doubled our movie collection and got about 62 movies in one year (we watch a TON of movies)

We look forward to good times that await us in 2009. Happy New Year everyone!

H is for... Hard Rock Cafe

While we were in Denver we went to the Hard Rock Cafe. Sarah has never been to a Hard Rock before and loved it. The food was great and enviornment was upbeat and fun! It was basically a museum dedicated to rock. There were records, pictures, clothes, sheet music, etc. that belonged to rock stars. It was really neat to look at all the stuff they have on the walls. Below is a picture of some of Eric Clapton's sheet music.
We have decided t start a tradition that every city we go to, if possible, we will go to the temple and the Hard Rock Cafe. Sarah also told the waitress that Craig's birthday was coming up and she should do something special for him. She made Craig stand on a chair and every gave him a birthday shout out and he got a free ice cream!

G is for... Good to be Home!

We just got back on Sunday night from our week long vaction in Denver. It was nice to actually have a vacation and for Craig to finally meet Sarah's family (yes, in the whole year we've been married Craig hadn't met them until a week ago). Traveling wasn't too bad. The whole trip down was great, and then on the way back we just had a small part with some bad roads.

Christmas was great. It was nice to spend so much time with Sarah's family, especially her brother, Daniel and his new wife, Analia. Both of them are in the military, so it's not very often that anyone gets to see them. While we were in Dener, we went to the Denver temple which was cool. We also went down to Colorado Springs to visit Craig's aunt. They have a really cool house and are fun to be around. We also went to Parker to spend some time with Sarah's dad and brother Robert. Christmas Eve we spent with the Loucks family. They are really good family friends of Sarah's and she has known them since she was 4 years old. They are basically second family. It was fun to spend time with them and look at old pictures of Sarah. Craig liked being in Denver and actually seeing parts of it for the first time. (He's been there before, but never stopped in.) We both got a some really great presents, and used any cash we got to hit the awesome sales the day after christmas. Macy's won the prize for best deals! Sarah got two really nice skirts for less than half of what one would cost. Nice!

Other than that not too much else to report. A lot of of staying up a little late, sleeping in, and shopping. Now just back to the old grindstone!

Saturday, November 29, 2008

F is for...FOREVER

Yes, forever.  On December 20th 2008, Sarah and Craig are going to the temple to be sealed together for time and all eternity! In the LDS church (for any who aren't familiar) we believe that the family is central to God's plan. Marriage is between a man and a woman and intended to be for all eternity.  How wonderful! We are both so excited to have the opportunity to be together for the rest of our lives, and especially to be together even after death.  We'll get some pictures! We also want every single one of you to know how much we love you and appreciate your support.  


Sunday, November 9, 2008

E is for...Eternal Companion

Today's lesson in Relief Society and Priesthood was about the letters that Joseph and Emma Smith wrote to each other. This lesson really made me think about how difficult it was for Joseph and Emma to be apart and raise a family and have to wait for weeks just to read a letter that their spouse sent. The lesson made me feel the love that Joseph and Emma had for each other and the way that they were able to uplift each other, even while they were miles apart. It also made me so grateful for my wonderful, loving, eternal companion Craig. He is my best friend and I love being married to him. Craig does so much for me and our family and I am so grateful for everything that he does. He is always there to uplift and comfort me and treat me like a queen. Criag is truly is the best thing that has happened to me and my life and I feel so blessed to be his wife and spend forever with him.

Here are my top 25 reasons why I love my husband so much:
1. He works hard all day long to take care of our family
2. He always takes care of me when I am sick
3. He loves me even when I am tired and cranky
4. He gives the best hugs and always hugs me
5. He tries to be his best everyday
6. He wants to be with me forever
7. He works hard to be the best husband and future father
8. He always looks at me with love in his eyes
9. He always knows how to make me smile and laugh- even if it is by tickling me
10. He loves to be with me and spend every second with me
11. He brings out the best in me
12. He loves to talk to me
13. He loves to cuddle with me
14. He does his best to make sure we have spirit in our home
15. He loves family
16. He uplifts me and makes me better
17. He is always there to listen to me
18. He sends me text messages everyday saying how much he loves me and misses me when we are apart
19. He loves the gospel
20. He does his best to give me the best life
21. He is thoughtful
22. He is kind and caring
23. He helps me clean the house
24. He loves to surprise me
25. He makes me SO HAPPY! :)

I am so grateful to have Craig as my best friend and eternal companion. There is no one I would rather spend my life and eternity with than Craig. Craig is the love of my life and my favorite! I love you <3

Sunday, November 2, 2008

D is for...DANGER!!


This Halloween, we got a chance to do something a little different.  It's been a while since either one of us has done much more than just watch a movie on this spooky holiday, so when Ross offered us a chance to help out down at the Mystique theatre this year, we were pretty thrilled.  They're trying out a new haunted house that they call "the Chamber of Shadows".  It was a lot of fun.  Craig was asked to help out as the butler.  He enjoyed it quite a bit, because he got a chance to do a little acting.  He got to run the front doors into the whole thing.  Sarah also got to be a part of it.  She was a chamber maiden.  She got to run the very cool animatronic skeleton.  We may help out next year.  Who knows!


Thursday, October 16, 2008

C is for... California Marriage Protection Act (Prop 8)

We are major supporters of proposition 8 not only because we are mormon and have the religious belief that marriage is only between a man and woman (see below) but because if marriage is no longer defined in California as between a man and woman but between any two people this will have major effects on the whole world and the world that our children will grow up in. Children will no longer see that marriage is a divine and sacred union only between man and woman but see they can marry whom or what ever they fall in love with. Many will be led to believe that same-sex marriage is the same as a traditional marriage, but this is not correct. We would like to encourage all of our friends and family to join us in supporting propostiton 8 and help us protect the divinity and sancity of marriage between a man and woman in our country and also the rest of the world.


Information about prop 8 from http://www.protectmarriage.com/:

The Issue

California voters passed Proposition 22 in 2000 by more than 61%, saying that a marriage in California is between a man and a woman. Earlier this year, four activist judges based in San Francisco wrongly overturned the people's vote, legalizing same-sex marriage.

The Consequences

The Supreme Court’s decision to legalize same-sex marriage did not just overturn the will of California voters; it also redefined marriage for the rest of society, without ever asking the people themselves to accept this decision. This decision has far-reaching consequences. For example, because public schools are already required to teach the role of marriage in society as part of the curriculum, schools will now be required to teach students that gay marriage is the same as traditional marriage, starting with kindergarteners. By saying that a marriage is between “any two persons” rather than between a man and a woman, the Court decision has opened the door to any kind of “marriage.” This undermines the value of marriage altogether at a time when we should be restoring marriage, not undermining it.

The Solution

Vote YES on Proposition 8 to overturn the outrageous Supreme Court decision and restore the definition of marriage that was approved by over 61% of voters. Proposition 8 is NOT an attack on gay couples and does not take away the rights that same-sex couples already have under California’s domestic partner law. California law already grants domestic partners all the rights that a state can grant to a married couple. Gays have a right to their private lives, but not to change the definition of marriage for everyone else.Passing Proposition 8 protects our children and places into the Constitution the simple definition that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

Voting YES on Proposition 8 does 3 simple things:

  • It restores the definition of marriage to what the vast majority of California voters already approved and what Californians agree should be supported, not undermined.
  • It overturns the outrageous decision of four activist Supreme Court judges who ignored the will of the people.
  • It protects our children from being taught in public schools that “same-sex marriage” is the same as traditional marriage, and prevents other consequences to Californians who will be forced to not just be tolerant of gay lifestyles, but face mandatory compliance regardless of their personal belief.

The LDS view on marriage and family:

The Family: A Proclamation to the World

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.

In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.

Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.

The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.

We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

source: http://www.lds.org/library/display/0,4945,161-1-11-1,00.html

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

B is for.... Bacteria!!

After turning down the housekeeping job at the hospital and starting a job at Western Wats, Sarah decided that wasn't quite for her and ended up quitting Western Wats after a whole 4 days. She is taking the very stylish job at the hospital instead. Although Western Wats is very boring and Sarah hates calling people it probably was better than cleaning the hospital. But, Western Wats apparently hired too many people because everyday they kept sending people home or calling people to not come in because their was no work to do. Sarah can't pay her car payment if she isn't working so she quit Western Wats yesterday and started orientation for the hospital today. We'll see how the hospital job ends up being. Sarah gets to clean hospital rooms all day and pick up all the yucky stuff...it's not a very glamorous job. She even is required to get a flu shot and other shots before she can start work so avoid getting what patients have, but at least the hospital is paying for it. Sarah gets to wear scrubs to work which is probably the most exciting part about the job. Craig thinks they make her look hot.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

A is for... ALWAYS GONE

Sarah got the idea of ABCs posting from one of her friends and we thought it was neat so we're going to use it with our post titles!! Lets start with the letter A and it stands for ALWAYS gone. 

This past month has been hard for Sarah because Craig is always gone at work. He's been working at lawn care and wingers (as told in previous posts) which means he's gone all day- usually from 7AM until 11 PM. Thank goodness it's about to get better! Last weekend Craig went down to Las Vegas with his brother-in-law Jake and his company to help pick up some trucks they got at an auction. Although Sarah missed him all weekend, especially since we never see each other anyways, the money was needed!! Well, from that he got a job and starts on Monday. He will be making more money and not starting so early so we can see each other in the morning and hopefully the evening more. So all in all we are way excited to be able to see each other more and spend more time together.

Sarah is still working hard building her Mary Kay business but it's more of an afternoon/ evening job and needs a job in the morning to get out of the house. She has been looking for a second since we moved back but hasn't had any luck until this past week. She starts training with Western Wats on Monday and will be calling businesses and taking surveys. She's not sure how much she will like that job because everyone that works there or used to work there doesn't like it but it's a job for the mean time. She also has a interview with the hospital doing janitorial work on Tuesday. We'll see what happens. 

Lets see, what else is new with us.... Sarah got her hair done yesterday and LOVES IT!! Thanks Tara!!! She put caramel/ light blonde highlights in it. Our camera isn't working right now but we will post pictures once it's fixed. The other night we went on a much needed date at home. We took a walk and just spent the night talking to each other and getting to know each other more. It was really nice to reconnect since we have been kind of apart since we never spend time together. Last Monday we went to Pocatello to see Ross, Craig's brother, and his wife Kacey perform in Joseph and the amazing technicolor dream coat. Sarah also went last Saturday when Craig was in Vegas. They both did great!! Especially Kacey. She was the narrator and has lots of talent. 

Well that's about all that is new with us.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Pictures of our new house

Here are some pictures of our new place. We are proud of some of the neat things that we do own and the luxuries we have (like a washer and dryer). In few months it will be ours because we are on a lease to buy. We're pretty excited about our place! Enjoy the little glimpse into our house and come by and see it sometime!!
One of the first things you see when you walk into our home, our awesome Yellowstone sign.

Our Kitchen. We love that hanging bear that we also got in Yellowstone; his name is Louie.

The living room.


Dining Room

Craig can't live without his record player!

The Bedroom- I love our bed set and our super awesome bed!

Our Super Cute Frog and Turtle bathroom!




Craig got this turtle shell in Tonga and it goes great in our bathroom!

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Back in Civilization

Well, we're back in Sugar City, Idaho in our little apartment.  We like it.  It was a bit of a pain getting things worked out and getting moved in, but here we are and it's nice.  We've spent a lot of time decorating it, and we'll get some pictures up soon.  Our favorite is our "Family" wall. One of Sarah's friends got us a decorative plate that says "Family" on it, so it's at the top with lots of pictures of us and our families all over.  FEEL FREE TO SEND US FAMILY PICTURES SO WE CAN FIND A PLACE FOR THEM ON THE WALL! 
We have our second bedroom all set up as our music room/office.  Craig really wants to start teaching some beginning voice, piano, and guitar lessons soon.  He really needs somewhere to put all of his original songs down and get them written out better.  Be watching!! We're hoping that he can have a demo CD set up within the next year. All originals!
So that's the update.  We'll get some pics out as soon as we can!

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

We're moving yet again

We will be leaving Yellowstone on Sept. 1st to head back to Rexburg. Craig already has a job doing lawn care- it's only for a few months but it's something for the mean time. Sarah still doesn't have a job- anyone know places that are hiring?? The best part about leaving Yellowstone is that it is the last time we will move for a long time- we are so sick of moving; this will be the 4th time since we've been married!! Moving to Yellowstone was such a blessing for us. We came here to make more money, which we did. We also wanted to pay off some debt, which we also did. The Lord really has been there to bless us and we are really grateful for that.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

OUR NEW FAMILY MEMBER!!

Although we mourn the loss of Kokomo....WE HAVE A NEW BUNNY!! His name is Peanut. He's another lionshead rabbit and is a little bigger than Koko. He's still getting used to our family and when he's out of the cage his favorite place to go is behind the water heater or under the TV. He's favorite thing to do is run laps around the cage- it's really funny to watch. We plan to litter box train him when we get back to Rexburg.



In addition to Peanut, Craig tried to add another family member Homer; but, we didn't have anywhere to put him and we didn't know how to care for him and Sarah isn't to fond of snakes. Craig got to keep him for a day though. 




More from our lives...there's not a whole lot to report. We only have a few more weeks left in Yellowstone then it's back to Rexburg. We'll be living in a townhouse in Sugar City- a town just outside Rexburg. Sarah is very excited to move into her new home and have a place to decorate since we will be buying it in a few months once we are settled in. 

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Kokomo died

Yes it is true, our bunny Kokomo died. We think she died on Sunday 7/20 but we're not for sure when or how she died. Yesterday we up in the mountians to Bronson Pointe to burry her. It was sad to say goodbye but she's in a better place. On the way down from the mountains our four wheeler died and we had to walk back home- a couple miles. The walk home was the worst part of the night because there were so many mosquito's and we were getting eaten alive by them. Oh well, we did it all for Koko.

Friday, July 11, 2008

Pictures of our many adventures

I love this picture of Sarah....isn't she the coolest!!
Sarah's beckoning to me

Aww Cute!!!
Jack before the broken foot. He's cute!

Nathan, Craig, Sarah, Heather, Haley and Ellie


Sarah, Ellie and Craig


Craig, Nathan, Heather, Haley, Sarah and Ellie


historic arch to get into the park

big hungry elk
Nobody wants to drive on poopy roads

A stuffed animal hat... kinda weird and kinda neat all at the same time.
So pretty!!
Jack loves being outside but not so much on leash.

SNOW!!!

Picture of us in Yellowstone; one of Sarah's favorites!
There are lots of buffalo in Yellowstone!!

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

The fun never stops

Lots of things have happened since we last blogged. Yesterday was the most interesting day that has happened to us in awhile- Jack broke his leg and we got a new car. First the story of Jack breaking his leg. Craig went out with his first group and Jack tagged along, as usual. The horse that Craig was riding is also in training and spooked at a tree stumped or something a little ways into the ride. Craig got thrown off the horse and stepped on, but was ok- only bruses and scratches. Jack also got stepped on by the horse and broke his foot. We took him down to a vet in Rexburg to get fixed and while we were down there we decided it was time for a new car. We got a white chevy malibu and it's awesome!! Jack is hating life right now. He loves to be outside and is completly bummed that he has to be inside all summer. So that was yesterday.

Last Sunday, we went to Rexburg to play games and hang out with some friends, it was a lot of fun. Sarah really loved being near friends for a few hours and it was nice to get out of West of the night. Last weekend Sarah's family came to visit (Uncle Mike, Aunt Jen, Haley, Heather, Nathan and Ellie). it was a lot of fun to be with family and take some time off work. We went into the park for a day and saw lots of neat animals (like a grizzly bear). Haley loves horses and loved being on the ranch and helping Craig out- atleast someone likes the ranch life; jk it's great!

Well, that's about all that is new with us. Hope everyone is having as great of a summer as we are!! We'll try and get pictures on here soon!!

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Here in the Mountains

Well, here we are in good ol' West Yellowstone Montana.  We arrived on monday, June 9th, and so far have been through some massive wind storms, currently enduring a small blizzard (yes...in June) and enjoying some souvenir shops in town.  We also were able to eat at the best restaurant in the world, The Canyon Street Grill.  I tell ya it's good! Not to mention i have a friend that runs the place and she picked up the tab for us! How cool is that.

Jack is enjoying the outdoors.  He enjoys them so much that he about drives us insane when he has to be inside.  He may be a little dog, but he sure has some gumption! We also have one small addition to our family! No, we're not having a baby. We bought a small Lion's Head mix Bunny rabbit! Here name is Kokomo (Koko for short) and she's a little black ball of fun.  Her and Jack are still trying to figure each other out.  Jack likes to play a game where he scoots her with his nose, and she likes to play a game where she stands on Jack's back.  Neither one of them seem to appreciate the other's game.  Their good though, and we haven't had any troubles yet.

So, in order to get an idea of life in West Yellowstone we have to tell you a little about our housing arrangement.  As one of the wranglers, Craig has access to a small cabin that's been around for more years than we want to reasonably imagine.  It has 3 rooms: a dining area (but no kitchen) that has a small table and room for a few shelves and a fridge, a bathroom that you can barely fit one person in, and then a bedroom.  The bedroom isn't too small, but all together the cabin is about 15 ft across by 25 or so long (just a guess).  It's cozy to say the least.  We have to cook in a microwave or on a gas stove that we got as a wedding present.  The water is actually pretty decent now that Craig got all the little kinks worked out.  You can actually take a shower! So, even though it's small...COME VISIT! We really love to have people come by, and there's room for you to stay the night, so please come!  

We'll get some more postings up, and hopefully there will be some cool pictures to follow!


Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Guess who finally has a blog!!

Welcome to our blog. We're still not sure how to make this thing look really cool yet, but we'll figure it out eventually.


So far life in general is pretty darn good. We're really excited about our new decision to move up to West Yellowstone, MT for the summer. Craig has been at a ranch just outside of Yellowstone National Park for the past three years, and so we thought it'd be fun to not grow up to fast and head up there for at least one more summer! Sarah is hoping to work at a small candy shop up there, and enjoy relaxing a LOT more than she's been able to lately. We have a little dog, Jack, who's pretty good. We like him. He's a little terrier mix, and is going to love being outdoors all summer. We hope he doesn't get eaten by a bear! (He's very friendly) Although, it has been one of Craig goals in life to kill a bear with his bare hands (no pun intended) or at least with his really kickin' Bowie Knife. Watch for it on World's Most Amazing Videos....or in the next documentary about what not to do in Yellowstone!


After this summer we plan to head back to Rexburg and then start up school again in January. Sarah has two semesters and is excited to be out of there! Craig's not too far behind, and is probably even more excited. Yay no more homework!


That's all for now. Don't just read about us...give us a call or something!