Summer Sun

Joseph and I have been quite busy this summer! Here are some highlights.

We went to Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake City this weekend. They have a new Penguin exhibit. We were able to see them fed while we were there as well.

Joseph and I visited Manti Temple and the Manti Pageant. It's hard to believe this time last year, we were just starting to date! And now we've been married for over half a year!

One of our wedding gifts was a small grill. So one weekend, Joseph and I decided to grill out. We grilled hotdogs and corn on the cob! It was very delicious!

This is the duck pond near our home where Joseph and I had our first date! We like going back and feeding the ducks.

Joseph and I took a camping trip to Goblin Valley one weekend! We hiked Ding and Dang Canyon and stayed at the State Park near the canyon.

Sunny Weather

Joseph and I celebrated Easter in Texas with Joseph's family. It was a pleasant change in weather. We returned home and went from 95 degree weather to 30 degree weather.

Here are some pictures highlighting our trip:

Temples

If you don't know yet, President Monson announced three new temples Saturday morning in General Conference. I was working during the morning session but was able to listen to President Monson's remarks. I thought I could share why I love the temple so much and my testimony.

Here is why I love the temple:

1. They are simply beautiful- both the appearance and the work done there.

2. The peace that exists in the temple cannot be matched anywhere else in the world.

3. The ordinances done in the temple are saving ordinances. The feeling I receive when doing work for my ancestors is wonderful. To know that my ancestors are able to receive all the blessings of the Gospel amazes me.

4. The sealing power exists so strongly in the temple.

I know the temple is the House of the Lord. He is there and I feel His presence so strongly when visiting the temple. I know the ordinances done inside the temple are true and are crucial to our salvation and to others. I know that families can be together forever. By being sealed in the temple, I know I will be with my husband forever and with my children forever. The covenants made in the temple allow me to return to live with my Heavenly Father and I am grateful to have the possibility of seeing the Savior again. I love the temple and am grateful to be worthy to go inside. It is a privilege to attend the temple and to live in a dispensation where temples are dotting the earth.

Freezin' Logan

This weekend, I was reminded of two things.
1) I left Logan because it is always freezing there. I went to visit my friend, Chelsea and to hang out with her again. It snowed a lot and I had to scrape my car for the first time in about three months. Since we have a covered garage, we never had to worry about it.
2) I love my husband. He is simply amazing. I came home from being away for the weekend and the house was clean and everything! It was so nice!

Couches, Fishing, and NCAA Tournaments

Those three things may have nothing in common to you but to us, that is what we've been doing lately.

When we moved into our home, we received a free couch and two free chairs. Free is always great, especially for a newlywed couple. However, the downfall of free was that the couch and one chair were a pastel pink. It was okay for a while but this weekend, I had enough. Our plan was to always buy a slipcover but they are so expensive. This weekend, I bought a king and queen flat sheet to make into slip covers. We haven't stapled the sheets to the couch yet (that is another weekend project) but they look a lot better. If you can't tell by the picture, our couch is now tan with beautiful blue pillows that match other knick-knacks in our living room.


As many know, tis the season for NCAA tournament. I decided to make our wall the bracket for us. We have a few empty walls and what better way to fill them! We are doing the bracket starting with the Sweet Sixteen and down to the championship. Using tacks and yarn, our bracket proudly bears my favorite two names: Wisconsin and BYU! I hope they play each other in the Elite Eight.


With my calling to Nursery, I was in charge of singing time this week. I made cool fish and then a fishing pole. I put magnets on each fish and a magnet at the end of the fishing pole. The kids went fishing for songs! It went pretty well this morning and the kids liked it. Some of them know primary songs better than I do!

What We've Been Up To...

Since our drastic haircuts, we've done quite a bit.

Most recently, Chelsea and Jeff came to visit for their spring break. Chelsea is a dear friend from my freshman year at Utah State University. They came down to Springville to visit Joseph and I for a weekend. We fed ducks (a tradition between us), went to a comedy show, ate some delicious food and played some new games. Church was great because I finally had someone to sit by in Relief Society!

Aside from their visit, I received a calling in Church... IN THE NURSERY! We met with our bishop a few weeks ago and he asked both of us where we would want to serve. Joseph quickly said I would love primary/nursery. So lo and behold, I am in nursery. Next Sunday will be my first week and I am beyond excited. The first few weeks are tough because the youngsters don't know you quite yet but it will come.

Also, Joseph and I have been going on some fun dates lately. We finally found the duck pond where we had our first date (neither of us could remember where it was) so we visited there a few weeks back. We've also gone to a museum, hockey game, and the Sweet Tooth Fairy Check it out! It was delicious. We also visited the Draper temple and hope to go to other temples in Utah.

Looking ahead, we have about five weeks left of the semester. After finals, we're leaving for Texas for a few days to visit Joseph's brother, sister-in-law and nephew. It will be my first time to Texas! Summer looks like it will be busy but great! We're planning some fun trips already!

Hair Cutting Frenzy

This last weekend marked two significant moments in our lives: (1) I got a haircut and (2) I cut Joseph's hair!

Since the wedding is over and I don't need long hair anymore to have for a wedding, I chopped off about four inches of my hair! It was not as scary as when I cut off 10-12 inches for Locks of Love. I was slightly nervous! It turned out really well though and now I need to get up earlier so I can actually do my hair instead of put it in a ponytail. Oh well! The sacrifice I make to be pretty.

Saturday, I also cut Joseph's hair for the first time. I have trimmed it before around his ears and stuff but nothing like this. We were at his parent's house and they have a hair-cutting kit for we got it out. It turned out okay and his mom came in and finished it because it was uneven. It looks great though and I can't wait to do it again in a couple weeks! Hooray! It gives me hope that I will be able to cut my children's hair one day!

Here are pictures of both of our styling new haircuts!

My hair looks better when dry and all!