Captures Photography

One of my friends from school has this amazing photography business she just started up called "Captured Photography." She first started out making beautiful frames that I have always envied, and expanded on her crafty, artsy talent by taking amazing pictures to go in those fabulous frames. Check out her site, www.chrissymariedesign.blogspot.com.  She is also doing a free photo shoot giveaway. You'll love it all!

ToDaY iS tHe DaY!

Today is quite a day! Though it is in fact our one year anniversary ( yeah for us!), it is also the day that my hubby is taking the dreaded MCAT. He is currently taking it at this very moment. It will take about 5 hours. Poor baby. He has worked so, so hard. I'm glad the test will finally be over for him today, both for his sake, and so I can have my husband back :). However, we will be having a most amazing day after the fact. Tonight we are going to dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, MacGrath's Fish House, seeing " The Time Traveler's Wife," and staying at the HYATT near the Gateway shopping center (All events are made possible thanks to Mom, Dad, and Graham Cracker; thank you so much!) We thought it would be fun to stay somewhere since we'll only have one, one year anniversary ever. It is also convenient because one of our very good friends is getting married right down the street the next day at 2:30, so we're really excited for that too. For those of you who know me well, you'd understand my excitement for an anniversary and a friend's wedding. If I've failed to mention it before,I love LOVE.
We are so excited for our anniversary! It is a day set in history ( at least in our mental calender) that will give us another reason( though I don't need one; I still look at our wedding pictures almost every day) to remember, with fond memories, the day we were married, which allowed us to be together forever. I could not have asked for a better husband. Dan is the most genuine, sweet, and loving person I know. He fills me with more happiness than I think I can contain at times. I love him. Sorry for the cheesiness, but I needed to make a tribute to him. He's the best! Good luck today babe.

My amazing husband on our honeymoon in Maui

I've lost it

So I am just beginning to get over being sick with a sinus/ head cold. I thought I was feeling pretty good besides being weak. I went to work today. While washing my hands in the bathroom, I looked in the mirror and realized my pockets on my dress were on my butt. It was on backwards. I guess I'm not fully better yet because I apparently have lost my head. I'm tired and need sleep.... I'll update about my trip to Missouri soon.

And He's Gone...

My little brother has finally left on his mission to Brazil. Hubby and I got to go to my house two weeks before to see his farewell talk. He did a great job. We got to go to the San Diego temple for the first time as a family (minus baby girl and Rubal ) while we were there. It was amazing!

Since I was here in Utah when he left from John Wayne, he called me on the way to the airport.I was so happy to get the chance to talk to him, though I failed holding back tears while saying goodbye at the end. Though my heart still aches thinking about him being gone, I am so proud of him and happy that he is going to have such a wonderful experience sharing his happiness of the gospel with others and growing as a person. We love you little brother.

Hugs <3

" A hug is more than mere physical touch. It is a lightning- like connection between two people ... a link that expresses love, encouragement, comfort- all the emotions that can reinforce a relationship, even turn a life around ... an incredible gift like that shouldn't be suppressed, it must be shared"

Give someone some love today. Hug <3

Our dog Harley hugging my mom's leg. He likes to be close.

My little brother and me

Leaving our Little Place

We finally moved out of our first apartment and into a two bedroom apartment. Though we

 love where we are now, we will miss our little home. Here are a few pictures of the old house. It took only three pictures to show it all :). 

My handsome man 

Grandma O's 90th Birthday

In March, Hubby and I got to fly to San Francisco for 2 days to surprise his grandma for her 90th birthday. It was my first time meeting her, and I was beyond impressed! She had so much energy! At one point we [ his 7 brothers, parents, aunts and uncles] all sat under a big oak tree and sang songs, something she loves doing. While we sang, she played the harmonica! She was bouncing up and down in her wheel chair while she blew away on the harmonica, leading us in some of her favorite songs. She then asked Hubby to serenade her with the song he and his brother's sang to me at our wedding; the song was "Duke of Earl."She loved it.

Serenading Grandma O

The big tree we all sang under

The place that we stayed was in Carmel Valley... absolutely amazing! There is a perfect combination of huge, green rolling hills and the ocean. At the lodge each couple had their own little cottage. It was adorable! We also had a fabulous filet dinner and yummy dessert; I was in heaven as I always am when I'm eating. It was a great trip.

Hubby's Birthday

Hubby turned 24 on April 28th. Unfortunately, I had to work and go to a class in Salt Lake and Hubby had his Kaplan class till 9 pm. Though we did not get to spend most of the day together, we did get to go to lunch at Panda Express ( his choice) and open two presents that morning. Later that night I surprised him by having some of his friends over to eat cake and ice cream and chat. It ended up being a pretty good day for my man!

Hubby in his new birthday shirt from his mommy :)

A couple of Hubby's friends and Sampson and Brittany's new baby, Pheonix

Hubby and one of his best friends, Bryan... goofballs

Leaving on a Jet Plane!

My cute little brother just got called to the Brazil Sao Paulo mission. He is so excited! He reports July 8th to the Brazil MTC. We are so proud of him!

Once upon a time we got married....

Here's a little story about how I met the love of my life. Hubby and I met May 14, 2007. We were introduced by one of my friends from my spring semester sign language class. I guess you could say it was love at first sight; him looking amazing as I opened the door and me, standing there in my pink sweats and green tee shirt, nice and sweaty right back from the gym. For whatever reason he decided to pursue me, even with such a terrible intro on my part, and we saw each other every day for a month till I left to go home for summer in California. We had been dating for 11 months when he proposed on April 14th. We were married in the Newport Beach Temple on August 14th. Our reception was at the Turnip Rose in Newport; a wonderful Spanish style venue. Here are just a few pictures from the best day of my life....
Our families on the steps of the temple. I come from a family of 4 kids. He is the youngest of 8 boys!
Our Bridal party at the Turnip Rose. It consisted of his 7 brothers and my 1 brother as well as my two sisters, favorite cousin, and 5 best friends. Inside the reception hall and...
Our getaway... it was the best day.