Has it really been 6 years?

It is so unbelievable how fast time flies!! We just celebrated our 6th Anniversary!

Brent had so much fun planning our Anniversary trip last year that he decided to plan it again this year. It always amazes me how romantic he is!

The night before our anniversary we stayed up till midnight to exchange gifts. I bought Brent a very nice tungsten ring to replace his wedding band (which was getting pretty dinged up) and a CD. He gave me Glee! I was so excited! He also told me what he had planned. He got a cabin for the night at Zion National Park! I couldn't believe it and went to bed so excited for the next day. I woke in the morning to Brent making a bunch of noise in the bathroom. I got out of bed to see what it was. The door was locked and he said he had just knocked something over in the tub...numerous times. I knew something was going on but he wouldn't let me in "because he was using the toilet and his stomach hurt". When he was done, I went in to pack up our toiletries and opened the shower curtain to find my new amazing shower head! It is so great - I spent half an hour in the shower the first time I used it. It was such a surprise and so funny!! We left for our adventure right after work. It had been raining so when we got to the park it looked so amazing! Everything was so green and foggy! It looked so mysterious and exciting. It was great to see such a different view from all the other times we had been there. Our cabin was such a cute thing. It had a little porch, fireplace, beds, bathroom... and that's about it. We headed down to St. George for dinner at the Olive Garden. It was delicious. I don't know if it was because of the special occasion or what... but the food seemed even better than usual! We had stuffed mushrooms, calamari, soup, salad, tortellini, and stuffed chicken marsala.

It was dark by the time we got back to the park, so Brent took me star gazing. With no moon out and being so secluded, it was the most perfect night for it! The stars were amazing and so bright. I don't think I have ever seen so many before in my life! When we got back to the cabin it was so nice just curling up by the fire and talk all night. It was wonderful not having any distractions and just being able to remember all the past years, our wedding, and all the reasons we fell in love.

In the morning we checked out, ate breakfast, and hiked to the lower Emerald Pool. The waterfalls were breathtaking! It started raining so we just drove around exploring new places and taking pictures from the comfort of the car. We stopped at a few stores and bought two puzzles, books, and Brent got me a beautiful necklace. We drove to every end of the park, through tunnels where it was snow on one end and just rain on the other, and taking as many pictures as possible. It was truly such a perfect anniversary!

I love you so much Brent. I am such a lucky girl to have you by my side throughout eternity! I look forward to many many more years with you!

Welcome home Darin!

Brent's little brother Darin just came home from serving a mission in Washington state for 2 years. It is so wonderful having him home. It almost seems like he never left.

We missed you Darin and we are so very proud of you for serving the Lord!

Temple Trip

We recently to the temple with our friends to do Sealings. I love going to the temple! It is the most amazing place you will ever go! While there the sealer shared his views on this wonderful ordinance that I thought were so beautiful and moving.

He looked down at the names and noticed they were from the 1700's. And began telling us how the words spoken never dull their meaning for him. How he pictures being in the pre-existence knowing all the steps we would need to take to return to our Heavenly Father. The Lord tells that there is a spot open for someone to come to earth. Someone happily volunteers. Our Heavenly Father smiles but then proceeds to tell them that at the time they will be born, the restored gospel will not be on the earth. They will not have the priesthood or any of the special ordinances which would allow them to return home. Those that volunteer take a step back with tears in their eyes. But then we stepped forward and said that we would do it for them. We would make sure all of those precious steps would be done for them.

He then said (with a smile on his face) "after this life, when we go through the veil and after we hug all our family and friends, just imagine all those whom we have done this work for, waiting and wanting to express their appreciation. Every one of them! What a reunion that will be!"

What a wonderful thought it is and such a great responsibility to us all to find those we promised to do that work for and do it!! I truly love this gospel with my whole heart! I know it is true and I know that my Heavenly Father loves us. I am so grateful for that strong spirit I felt and for the opportunity we had of being there at that time. I am so grateful to be sealed with Brent for all eternity and the blessing of being able to return to our heavenly home after this life.

Valentines

For Valentines we went with our friends to our favorite restaurant - Yummy Thai food! It was so packed with people and they only had one cook and one server! It took us about 2 hrs to get a table, order, and eat... but it was well worth it!! The food is amazing! Afterwards, Brent and I went home and just cuddled on the couch and watched a movie. We didn't really give gifts this year. I made Brent some "Sexy Cookies" which turned out awesomely and he bought me RED a few days before. That movie is so funny!

Love you Brent. Thanks for everything you do. I am so grateful to have you in my life and to have you as my eternal companion. I love having you as my best friend. I know married life has its huge ups and downs, but I'm glad that I have you to go through them with me! Happy Valentines Day sweetheart!

Time with family

My mom called us and pretty much told us we were coming up for the big Superbowl game. It was so much fun to go up (even on short notice) and be with my family. I don't think I've ever laughed as hard as I did when mom tackled dad while he was getting his shoes, on and started tickling him. It was so good to hear dad laugh. After Dad went to the store and bought her flowers to let her know she would never get them again if she ever tickled him! And later when mom was aiming to make dad smile but by his account she was just trying to kill him with whipped cream. I was so glad to see my parents smiling! I was also able to play some video games with my awesome siblings. Our favorite is Little Big Planet. It is hilarious watching us all play together! The football game was pretty fun to watch (although I hate watching games on the TV. Stupid commentators!). I just wish the sound was better. Black Eyed Peas really didn't do well as a halftime show when the sound is off! It was so nice being able to spend time with my family. I love them all and miss seeing them.

Grandpa and his airplane

This is my grandpa with the airplane that took 6 years to build. Love you Grandpa!

Christmas and the start of 2011

This past year has definitely had its ups and downs and really downs, but through it all Heavenly Father has truly blessed us in so many ways. We hope at this time in your lives that you can look back and think of all the blessings you have in your life because of our Savior.

This year for Christmas we were able to spend it with my family. It was so nice to be able to spend the time with them. We got their early enough to help with dinner...which was absolutely delicious! We able to visit my Sorensen Grandparents and some Aunts & Uncles. We had our traditional Christmas Eve storytelling from my Dad while sitting by the fire. Every year he reads "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and the Christmas story from the scriptures. There is such a wonderful spirit there when we gather as a family to remember the true meaning behind this season. All of us kids then camped out in the family room playing games and watching movies way into the night.

The favorite thing about Christmas for my mom is when she gets to wake us up and takes a picture at us all being half asleep. Then we all race up stairs to the the beautiful tree and presents. After presents we all eat blueberry waffles for breakfast. It was such a wonderful Christmas just having fun and spending time with my family. The presents we got were wonderful, but even if there were none, just the feeling the love of my eternal family and from my Heavenly Father would have been enough. It is truly the most wonderful gift we have and will ever get!

For New Years, we stole my brother and sister to spend the week with us. I was able to take most of the week off due to Holiday and Vacation days my boss wanted me to use up (wish I had known that when my Dad was down - oh well). It was way fun just spending all day with them doing whatever. Mom and Dad came down on New Years Eve to spend the evening with us. They were party poopers and went to bed early, while the rest of us played games way past midnight. The best was when we were playing Uno and my sister finally caught onto why it is called Uno! and my brothers feeble attempts to put a blue 4 on a red 2. And our horrible bluffs during Malarky. I don't think I have laughed that hard in a long time. It was such a great way to bring in 2011!