Trip to Washington

Kyle's younger brother, Brian got married August 22nd in the Portland, OR temple, so we went up to visit with his family in Washington for a few extra days. It was really nice to get away from Utah for a while before school started up again. We enjoyed our little break, even though it was really busy with family and of course the wedding and reception. It was still lots of fun. I really enjoy Kyle's family. They are so nice. I love his little cousins too. I don't know why, but they always want to hug me and they tell me they love me all the time! They are all awesome! This Christmas we are going to Washington again, since last year we went to Colorado with my family. This gets pretty tough to have family in two different states! Each wants us to go there, especially for Christmas time, but we gotta' do what we gotta' do! Haha. I'm sure it will be awesome!

Anyways, here are a few pictures that Kyle and I took while we were in Portland. While Brian and his new wife, Kimberly, were getting their pictures taken, Kyle and I decided to have our own little photo shoot. Enjoy!

Portland, OR Temple

Kyle's dad catching the bouquet

then Kyle caught the bouquet

Kyle's uncle, Steve, his wife, Angela, and their kids, Braeden, Lauren, and Ethan Cox

Kyle's uncle, Pat, and his daughter, McKenzie Lee







I forgot to mention that while we were in Seattle, and we were helping chop food for the wedding reception, Kyle cut his finger and we went to the Emergency Room to get it checked out. It wasn't as bad as we thought, thank goodness, but it sure did scare us. This picture is later that day when we was helping with food again, but not chopping. He put on the gloves so his bandage wouldn't get wet. He is so funny! Now, if something is good, he'll use his normal thumb to give a "big thumbs up!" and if it is not as good, he'll use his cut thumb give a "little thumbs up!" haha...fun times!

P.S. Today is my parent's 28th anniversary, so HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Mom and Dad. WE LOVE YOU!!!

Visit From Michelle and Kids

About two weeks ago, my sister, Michelle, and her kids were all able to come over for a weekend while her husband, David, went on an overnight retreat thing. We had lots of fun, but it was quite a change from it just being Kyle and me, to having four crazy kids running around our place. On Saturday, we took them to a swimming pool that is close by to let them get outside and run around a bit. They really enjoyed it. We also took them to a barbecue with our friends while David and Michelle went to a fireside. The food Kyle prepared was amazing, as usual, and it was lots of fun just to hang out on a nice summer day. Here are a few pictures of the kids in the water.

Kyle was sweet and went in with the kids. Isn't he so wonderful and cute!

Olivia...she is so pretty, and she posed like that all on her own!

Rachel...she gave me the funniest poses, but she is adorable!

Rebecca...what a cutie!

Little David...thank goodness Michelle was making funny faces behind me, because I could not get him to smile...but he sure is good looking!

smiling and having fun!

I don't know what Rachel is doing, but it was cute

Talking to Kyle...

they are trying to tell him to get back in, but he had to go to work! They really love him.

Showing Some Love

Today I just want to write and say how amazing my husband is. Here are just some of his amazing qualities that make him the man that I love:

• He is so funny and always makes me laugh


• He has so many goals that makes him very driven to complete them

• He is very smart. Sometimes he says stuff that I don’t understand, but I just act like I do because he sounds so cute.


• He is such a hard worker. He tries so hard to make it the best life for both of us


• He is very passionate, especially when it comes to ideas he has and things he likes or wants to do, such as starting up a business, making a game, buying a house and fixing it up (there is one house right now that he loves, and it needs a lot of work, but he can’t stop thinking about it. He’s already whipped out a spreadsheet to do the numbers).

• He is extremely talented and can do just about anything, and if he can’t do it the first time, he will keep at it or find another way to do it

• He is very handy. He has built us a kitchen island and a bed, and every time people see his craftsmanship, they tell him he should go into building furniture

• He is super creative, whether it is making a fun game, an incredible date, or even looking at something like an old house and seeing its potential

• He makes me feel safe.

• He is a good listener and also communicates back to me. I can talk to him about anything.

• and most of all, he makes me happy!
  

There are definitely many, many more things that make Kyle such a wonderful husband! I am extremely happy and lucky to be married to him!

Family Visit

This last week, my parents were able to come visit as well as my youngest sister, Megan! We had tons of fun. We barbecued up by Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon, we got to attend the open house for the Oquirre Mountain Temple, and we even got to go to the Stadium of Fire for the Fourth of July. Kyle wasn't able to go because he had to work that night, but he bought the tickets for us as a sweet present! It was really awesome! Once I get the pics from my mom, I'll post them up here so all can see. Thanks for a great weekend mom, dad, and Megs! Love you!

Kyle and I had a great day on Monday, June 1st, which happened to be my 21st birthday!!! First off, I had to work that morning from 7:30am to 2pm. I was a little bummed about that, but since my younger sister, Amy, was here visiting Utah to go to EFY, she and Kyle came in to the Bookstore at about 1:45 and gave me a huge surprise! I was working and all of a sudden, a random guy comes to me and asks me if my name is Stephanie. I said yes and then he hands me a rose and says Happy Birthday! I had no idea who he was and why he was giving me a rose, so at first it was a little weird. Then I started catching on, especially after 18 other people, some who also work at the Bookstore and others just some random customers, started piling in and giving me more roses. Amy was the 20th rose to come along and she also came in with a poster and she and Kyle made with a picture and note Kyle wrote. Kyle then popped out with the 21st and final rose and wished me a Happy Birthday. So many people were looking and wondering what was going on, but it was so cute and amazing! I had a lot of fun with it.

Later, Kyle and I had to drive Amy up to the airport to go back home, so we decided to stay in Salt Lake City and then went to the Hogle Zoo while waiting for our dinner appointment at 7pm. For dinner, we went to The Garden. It is a restaurant on top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. They had the roof open on top and it had a gorgeous view of the temple! It was such a good day, and I have the most amazing husband in the world! He does so much for me and I am grateful for being so blessed!!

he is so handsome!

random people, i just wanted to show the temple from where we were sitting in the restaurant

giddy up...rhino?

our elephant friend

this elephant was making funny noises that scared little kids

on the train ride at the zoo, it lasted for two minutes, but it was fun

on our way to SLC

all 21 roses! sweet!