it's like Christmas!!!!!!

The odds that we are going to make it to med school are good these days.

Dave has interviews at the following places in the next 3 months.

Lake Erie Penn

Kansas City Missouri

Chicago, Illinois

University of Southern Illinois, also near Chicago

Kirksville, Missouri

Finding out Dave has an interview is like Christmas everytime. It never gets old. And we are having so much fun celebrating each time.

I am so excited because 4 of these schools are near family.....and that's all I really care about.

It is a little scary to think that We will be leaving Utah, with all of our family and friends here with a 3 month old baby and will have to make it work wherever we are, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Dave is AWSOME and it is so nice to be over the stressful hump of applying for med schools.....just one last step of interviewing and summer dave will be back in business!!! (yes he sometimes continues into fall.....mainly because of football season)

As if this news isn't enough to keep a smile on my face.....We leave for Europe in less than 2 days. We found out our hotel reservation didn't go through which was kind of scary, but the people in Paris were wonderful and helped us fix that quickly. So now everything is set.

Yes I am so scared of flying but it will be worth it....and I have Unisom to help me sleep. I took half a pill last night and literally did not move for 12 hours. It was glorious!!!! The baby and I are finally sleeping well.

I'm happy to report that our little one is the size of a softball now....I have gained a pound (it's harder work than I thought) and I am predicting it is a girl because the heart rate was 160 beats/minute.......but I could be wrong....but I would be so excited if I wasn't!!!!

It's the little things in life....

This morning I woke up smiling and can't stop.

Maybe this is why......

1. Having Dave come home from the gym this morning and flexing for me and making me giggle while I wake up. He is such a stud.

2. Watching the Price is Right while eating a bowl of delicious Cheerios with strawberries. I love that show!!!!

3. Knowing I have to go to work at 2:30 and that it will consist of taking the girls to gymnastics in their adorable leotards and then taking all three kids to their annual school carnival....which they are so excited for!!!!! ( I can't believe this will be my third carnival with them) I love my job.

4. Remembering the fact that in 9 days I will be in EUROPE and am going to eat pastries and waffles for every meal....well for the baby's sake I will throw a few fruits and veggies in there too ;)

5. Feeling like the luckiest woman alive each and every day because I have a husband who works so hard for us and the future of our family....and counting down the days til he has his med school interviews.

6. PLanning to have a fun Family Home Evening of cutting my husbands hair and making Strawberry/Rasberry freezer Jam together for the first time.

7. Planning 2 baby showers for my 2 prego girlfriends in the same weekend....and loving every minute of it.

8. Having awsome regional stake confrences with apostle that make me giggle because of their cuteness.....and hearing EXACTLY what I need to hear from them to help me be inspired to grow a little more and become a better person. wife and mother.

Yep!!!! Life is good. and I am loving the fact that my tear filled 1st trimester is over and that I can smile away now!!!!

thump thump

Today really is an amazing day!!! Yes, it's true I'm home sick in bed. Sneezing and coughing and sleep deprived, but I feel like I'm on cloud nine. You see....this morning Dave and I went to the doctor's office for attempt #2 to hear the baby's heartbeat and to make sure I wasn't dying. ( I'm not FYI ) Attempt #1 we heard nothing and I left bawling because I was fearing the worst. (which isn't saying much because I pretty much bawled through the whole first trimester) But today we heard it loud and clear. Like a little drummer. The little one is apparently growing away in my baby cooker....and even though we haven't seen it yet, hearing it made it so much more real. The shocking news....I have lost weight in my first trimester, even though I feel large and in charge and my doctor says I need to fatten up more now. So if anyone has any tips or any good recipes....let me know. I did get some unisom, which will hopefully help me eat and sleep better. Being pregnant is the BEST though! We will get back from Europe just in time to make it to our first ultrasound appointment on October 5th. So we'll be seeing you then little one! Can't wait!

My first French phrase I learned "Ju seis enciente" which means "I'm pregnant" ;)

I'm a proud momma today and I all ready love my little one soooooooooooooo much!

Oh no....here come the tears again!!!! Bring 'em on.

Moving on up

This month is going to be so exciting and so scary at the same time.

Dave and I have decided to finally move to a larger place that is cheaper and has brand new carpet and brand new paint. I'm convinced it is going to feel like a little peice of Heaven after where we have lived the past 2 years. Not only will we be saving a few pennies but we have been having mold and mngmt problems where we are at now are are excited to be free of that. Dave says the mold is making us stupid....lol

The kids I nanny are off to Arizona with their mom for ten days so it's up to me to pack up our things while Dave studies for his MCAT some more. We then leave for Spokane on July 14th, for Dave to take his MCAT again and for our family reunion. We come back the 25th. We move out the 26th.....Like I said, I'm excited and scared. I'm sad to be away from all of my friends, it's been so nice to walk out your door and see everyone else coming and going and saying hello and goodbye. I am confident we will all still be just as great of friends. We have loved our ward, our apartment (for the most part), our friends, our location, and the growth and love we have felt here.

So here is to moving forward and becoming a stronger and happier Mr. And Mrs. Holt.

Summer Dave

Dear Summer Dave,

I love you and your cute bummy wummy!

XoxO

your loving, adoring and lucky to have you wife

Good things are worth waiting for.

Recently I have come to realize just how important patience is. I'm realizing how good things are worth waiting for. Dave and I waited 4 years before getting married. now we are waiting to start a family and to see what med school we get into. We wait for these grand things but we don't let a moment pass without realizing how lucky we are. We have had so much fun together and are so lucky to be so blessed.

The sweetheart Dance 2004, our first kiss.....3 month after hanging out every day. Don't know how we made it that long.

Driving Dave to the airport 2004

I have been feeling really nostalgic lately... being at BYU in the summer, I can't help but remember the first summer Dave and I met. It was June 2004. We met at the freshman orientation dance. Yes we used to dance. From that night on we spent EVERY day together and almost every hour we could spare... until Dave's mission. I have so many fond memories of laying under the stars just talking for hours on campus, or going on adventurous dates. Six years have past and a lot has changed, But I can honestly say I have loved him since that June night in 2004. Dave never gave up on my fickleness, but I couldn't have been more stupid to not act a few years earlier to snatch up good things like Dave and never let them go. I feel so grateful to have such a wonderful man by my side through thick and thin. My love for him is stronger than it has ever been. I feel blessed to be able to share his struggles and honored to help lift him when he's down. He has helped me become who I am today and has helped me have so much joy that I never even imagined having in life.

They never said life would be easy but man is it worth it when you have such a wonderful man.

Park City

Our friends the Mathews recently graduated and moved away for further schooling so we planned a a reunion to get together and have some fun.

We lucked out to be able to stay in a cabin in Park City Utah for FREE. It was the perfect kick off to summer. We enjoyed staying up until 3am giggling and watching movies...

Having Campfires and looking at this awsome few from the deck...Dave and I woke up every morning and sat on the porch and read side by side, while we listened to the birds.

Hanging out with these lovely ladies...

Yelling "SUMMEr DAVE" and cheering as a group whenever Dave stayed up passed midnight or did something fun hehe

Shopping on Main Street and finding these free hats to keep our hair dry in the pooring rain.

Finding cute $3.00 shirts that we loaded up on.

Riding the trolly.

Driving around the mountains and looking at some of the amazing houses up there.

Eating out at the best burger joint in Summit County.

Seeing Robin Hood opening night.

Watching Dave act in Gestures and trying not to pee my pants.

Getting heated in a game of memory....yes memory.

Watching the deer run around our cabin windows.

Cooking meals for eachother.

We had such a great time and are thankful for such wonderful friends to spend our time their with. Great friends can be rare and we hope to be life long friends with these 4. Can't wait for our next adventure.

Belgium Waffles

So yesterday at work I recieved a rather intriguing text from my husband.

Dave: "Would you like to go to Belgium in September"

Me: "Yes, Please"

At first I thought this was a joke, but I soon realized that Dave isn't a joker, so I called him as soon as I got off.

For the past couple of years Dave has ben able to go to these international research confrences with all expenses paid by BYU with his professor at the BYU research lab. He's gone to California and Montreal while I have stayed at home and scrapbooked or knitted :)....well this September it's in Belgium and Dave wants me to come too. Dave will have his flight, food and hotel all ready paid by BYU so we just need to pinch our pennies so I can come tag along. When else would we get to travel there for just half the price. I'm trying to not get my hopes up too much, but Dave kind of blew it the moment he told me this posibility. LETS MAKE IT HAPPEN!

So cross your fingers for me.

NEW TOYS

Goodbye Maxima....we'll miss you, but we hope someone buys you soon.

Well it's been almost 2 years of me driving a stick and apparently I'm still horrible at it because Dave felt like I was killing our Maxima, so.....We bought a new car. A 2004 Honda Accord. We weren't really planning on doing this so soon, but the right car came along for a steal of a price (>auction price)....so YAY!!! It's Cougar blue and an automatic which is my favorite part and has all the bells and whistles our Maxima had. So SHOCKED we got such a nice car, I was expecting a hoopty. I'm glad I love it because we're stuck with it until it dies....which is hopefully a

very VERY VERY long time from now.

Not the best picture but isn't it perdy!

We allready decked it out with a BYU sticker.

Nanny Diaries

Scera Pool

These little boogers get out of school next week and we are planning the BEST SUMMER EVER. I am putting together a water party in their backyard for them and their friends to kickoff the first day of summer next Friday...Last year it consisted of all of Sam and his friends chasing me around with water baloons. I can't believe that I will have been their nanny for 2 WHOLE YEARS as of this August. I feel so lucky. They are so Fun and Nice and just dang LOvable.

I feel like a proud momma, they have all done so dang well in school this year and next year even little Mary will be in school all day long instead of half days.

I just don't know If I can handle not having our own little play time together every afternoon filled with picnics and trampolines and tea parties and parks.

I will just have to make do I guess.

Here were some of our adventures from last summer...because they are older and stronger this year we are going to try and do bigger adventures!!!

I have too much fun with my job!

Hogle Zoo

Bridal Veil Falls

Back Yard shinanigans

in a nut shell

Hello Again-

I know I'm lame....California was AMAZING my sister was a beautiful bride and I loved spending so much time with her as well as the rest of my family. Now the newlyweds have officially moved in next door and yesterday she came over to barrow a cup of milk...it made my day! We were lucky enough to have my mother over for dinner on Mother's day. We made her thai food and played games until late at night. This week I have been working like crazy before my boss leaves for London next week and his house undergoes renovations (which I will have to clean up :( ) Last night was our second intramural kickball game, we won...I LOVE KICKBALL. but Tonight I'm off to Park City for a weekend getaway with some of the funnest people in the world that I have missed dearly. We'll be back Sunday and then....then I promise to post details and pictures.

-I am loving post MCAT life with Dave! He is amazing and We have too much fun! lol

Tootaloo!!!

Running Home

My half marathon training is going a lot better than I expected. I've been able to run atleast up to 2 miles a day and sometimes up to six miles. That is my hump....I just mentally poop out after 6, even though my body feels like it can keep going.Even if I don't make it the whole 13.5 miles for the race, I have all ready made it farther than I ever could have imagined. I used to get tired after running for like 5 minutes....and now I can run 5 miles and it's no big deal. And I am actually enjoying my runs. I guess this means I'M A RUNNER, just like my momma : ).

Who'd a thunk it.

My sister Ashley and I went running a few times while we were in California. We got stranded in the rain miles from home, however, it was while we were at the Beautiful Marina....so I didn't really mind. We hid out in the local bait shop there until it stopped...then ran to the train station where we had to take shelter again because it started storming again. It was a fun adventure. I forgot just how beautiful it is there...but they say home is where the heart is and I left my heart in Provo with Dave!

I'm off to California tomorrow for 5 whole days!!! I can't wait. Here is what I will be up to.

0. Helping the family prepare for Ashley's outdoor wedding reception.

1.My older sister Ashley's wedding....woohoo

2. Lunch with my bestie. Jamiee.

3. Laying poolside in the afternoons

4. Riding my bike through SF....one of my favorite things to do.

5. Playing cards with Gma and Gpa.

6. Laughing histarically with my siblings.

7. Making Thia food for my mom.

8. Running every morning down to the marina.

9. Getting manis and pedis with my sisters and madre.

9.5. Biting all of my cute nails off while I wonder what score Dave will get on his MCAT and where we will end up for med school.

10.visiting with old friends.

11. Going through my old closet and bring back all of my clothes I left there....I'm excited to find some good stuff.

11.5. Taking MILLIONS of pictures of all the things I miss.

12. Calling Dave nightly do whisper sweet nothings and tell him I miss him horribly and love him dearly.

BE BACK SUNDAY!!!! And get ready for oodles of photos from Cali.

Pappa Holt

I just think it is so cute that Dave is so over-protective of me and our future kids....and I'm not even a preggy meggy yet. He has me taking multiple suppliments daily to help our kids be smart and healthy. He threw out some water bottle this morning because it had some substance in it that "could" possibly be harmful I guess...lol... I have no idea what he was talking about ...He has me eating healthy and baught me a nice comfy new matress so when I do get pregnant I sleep well. We have been daydreaming a lot lately about what it will all be like once I do get prego.

He's going to be such a cute dad.

I'm trying to be patient...but I'm so ready to be a mom one day soon!

Today

SO sorry I am neglecting my blog these days. I have been working as many hours as possible and cleaning as much as possible so when Dave gets home I'm all his. Only 2.5 weeks left until he takes the MCAT, but don't remind him because he'll get nervous. We are loving life though and loving eachother more than EVER. Dave and I have had so much joy lately with such a wonderful general conference that lit a fire in both of us to be better in so many ways....and by making some changes we have felt miraculously happier and closer to our Heavenly Father.

I know it's hard to make changes sometimes but I know because of these small itty-bitty changes Heavenly Father blessed me with some amazing expiriences this last week...too special to share.

Let's just say I know my Heavely Father lives and loves each and everyone of us!!!

I am so greatful for the knowledge that I have that I am a daughter of God.

For temples.

For a living Prophet to guide me, along with his apostles.

For oppertunities to serve in capacities that are challenging but necesary to help ourselves and others reach their potentional and be comforted.

For eternal families.

For personal revelation.

For the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

For the Priesthood.

For all of this and so many more reason that I am pondering about today....TODAY will be the best day ever!

Blooming

I decided to put one of Dave's old torn shirts to good use. I used a cookie cutter and traced flowers on it then after cutting them out used a lighter to burn the edges then...folded them and used my handy dandy needle and thread to sew them together...I think I will make a few more and use them for a cute headband....or maybe spice up the collar of one of my shirts....Fun eh!

Geek Chic Homemaker

I have been trying to spend more time with Dave in his research lab. Lately he has been craming for the MCAT and has been so busy working on getting some research published along with his regular school projects and work. This man is Superman I swear. We've been having lots of meals in his lab and listening to pandora while he works and I read. I have really been enjoying our time together there. Here are some fun things I have found this week that I am excited to try.

First.... some Gel Electrophoresis cookies...they look just like what Dave does in the lab.

So cute huh? Her baking ideas are GENIUS!!!

Second...my boss recently had me take DNA swabs of the kids last night so that he can get THIS....

Your probably wondering what This is...Well my boss is having canvas art made of his and his children's decoded DNA. We had a FHE lesson on how unique they are and that no one has the same DNA they do. Everyone has a unique "You" code. I asked them what makes something expensive/valueble...they answered how rare it is. Then I told them there is only one of YOU so that makes you priceless. Then we took their DNA swabs to mail in. It was such a fun lesson and I am so excited to get the canvases back to hang up for them. One day I would like to do this for Dave and I and kids too. Check it out....www.dna11.com. (little pricey but only because not very many people make DNA art yet. I asked Dave to see if maybe he could figure out a way to decode our DNA in his lab for me to make a print to frame. we shall see.)

So Geek Chic!

Get a Grip

"I used to have a handle on life....but the handle broke off a few days ago"

hehe...Just a little quote that I saw while I was out and about yesterday that basically describes how Dave and I have been feeling these days along with why I haven't been blogging!

TWIHARD 2

Dave and I watched this last night....I'm so excited and can't wait for June 30th to be here allready. Dave, although in denial, is duely just as excited to see Jacob's shirt off again. He is definately team jacob!!! lol

The newest addition

Here is our newest neice. Claire! Isn't she a doll. I can't wait to hold her.

She will be closest in age to our children, since she is the last to be born on Dave's side. I am determined to have a girl first so that they can be best of friends.

Sending you hugs and kisses.

Love, Uncle Dave and Aunt Megan

Ciao Bella Photography

I'm feeling inspired today by a friends photo blog.

Check it out...here.

I love her ability to make simple things so visually intriguing.

You can even buy her prints...here...

She also takes portraits, I have been begging Dave to get pictures takin' of us, but we just have no time until after the Mcat.

check her portaits out here

I think I want to buy a print for my birthday gift to myself...but I'm having a hard time deciding.

I just love her pictures! Makes me way too anxious for us to buy a sweet camera... but I need to do some research first.

Any advice on what kind of camera and lens to get???

FREEDOM!!!!!!!!!!

OKay..I woke up this morning and all I could think about is that Dave takes his MCAT in only a month and a half!!!!!! I am so nervous for him, but so excited for the studying madness to be over. We have so many plans for this summer, I am convinced it is going to be EPIC!

Here is our "Dave is free let's party and do everything" list for the summer.

0. Apply To Medschool....WOO HOO it's finally here.!!

1. Hit all of the sweet UTah Camping spots.

1.5. Find all of the great hikes we keep hearing about in UTah...and hike them ;)

2. Read all of the books we have listed, but have no time to read.

3. Tour de Utah Temples.

4. Refinish furniture to sell...or keep for our next place.

5. GET PREGNANT ;) I'm looking forward to this one the most.

6. Road trip to Cor De Lane with friends. This is where we took our honeymoon and love going back.

7. Dave wants to get his research papers published/ I want to finish the few children's books I have been working on and check out getting them published.

8. Go back to Holt Farm and play in the fields...ride some tractors...not get tetnus!! lol

9. Go to Lagoon...neither of us have been.

10. Do a sprint Triathalon together in St. George.

11. I'm running the Utah Valley Half Marathon....my goal is to complete it lol

12. Go shooting at least two dozen times

12.5. Festival of Colors

13. Go to California....my home sweet home!!! ride bikes to and around SF. Take Dave to all of the amazing resturaunts that I miss. Visit with family and friends.

14. Go to all the weddings....my sister's and 2 cousins....I'm sure there will be more to come...

15. Go to see the new Twilight at midnight.....yes I plan on bringing Dave...and although he would never admit it...he loves Jacob and his hot bod. lol jk.

16. Go tandum bike riding up Bridal Veil Falls....we are really curious how far up the path goes...and picnic at the end.

17. Invest

18. Did I mention GET PREGNANT!!

So keep Dave in your Prayers...May 1st will be here before we know it and he will be taking his test. And then it's party time!!!! So if anyone has fun ideas and wants to join in on enjoying "Summer Dave" with me just let us know....although I am tempted to keep him all to myself. And thank you everyone for helping me stay so positive and giving me oppertunities to serve and reminding me that there is light at the end of the tunnel. We are so very blessed and I'll never forget it!!!

WOO HOO. I'm so excited.

Holt Farm

Dave and I took a trip down to Southern Utah last weekend to stay with his Grandma Stratton in Cedar City while Dave presented some research st SUU at the annual Undergraduate Research convention for Utah. Because Dave is so busy with school, work and studying for the MCAT non-stop, it was so great to just pack up and head out with no worries for a few days. We daydreamed the whole drive down about our future family, future house, future dream cars....it was really fun. Saturday we dorve to Pearl Junction where his family owns an alfalfa farm. It's about 300 acres of alfalfa and a few thousand for the cattle. Daves family would drive there every summer and stay for a week or two so Dave has a lot of fond memories there. Grandpa Holt gave a 49 dodge truck to Dave which we hope to restore one day! One day....

Dave took lots of pictures of his truck so that he can start getting appraisels or parts that he might need one day. While he was poking around he got a teenie tiny cut on his finger. On our way back to Provo he kept commenting on how his finger really itched....then it began to swell. We made it home safe and went to bed....the next morning Dave had swollen up at all of his joints (elbows, wrists, ankles, knees, fingers etc.) and was itchy and red. It was hard for him to walk and not be in pain. We googled what it could be and figured he must have an allergic reaction or a bacterial infection from the cut so we picked up the benedryl and hydrocordizone cream....but nothing worked. We decided it would be best if we went to Urgent care...They took a few tests but couldn't conclude what it was so gave him medicine for both Tetnus and an allergic reaction. He's back to normal now, took him a few days. Thank goodness, Dave was so calm but I definately was not so well at hiding my worries for him. I new Dave was accident prone when I met him and now that we're married I'm glad I get to take care of him, sometimes I want to wrap him in bubble wrap and give him a helmet to wear at all times though.

This one is a doozy!

(finishing my first 5k in Martinez with my mom)

So as of now I am officially feeling like the laziest girl in my entire family. My mother is constantly running races and riding her bike or hiking. My sister Janae just finished a half marathon and Ashley has ran in numerous races as well. Myself.....I've done two 5ks. Both which I didn't really train for but did for fun. My mom and I were talking on the phone the other day and I was telling her how I feel like I need to train and run for something so I can stop feeling like the fat lazy girl in the bunch. And so.....we came to the conclusion to run the Provo Caynon half marathon. THAT'S 13.1 MILES! holy moly. I don't know if I am physically capable of this but I sure am going to try.

How am I going to make it.....baby steps. I woke up today and ran 2 miles. That is 2 miles more than I have ran all month. Tomorrow I plan to run three.

I'm making this post so you can all hold me accountable. Don't let me quite on my goal.

Also if you have any training tips or good songs for my ipod please comment them.

.BABY STEPS.

making it work

With the MCAT just around the corner Dave's free time seems to be all consumed with studying and projects. I just keep needing to remind myself that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. MAY 1st, then we will be free to spend time together, free to talk to eachother freely without interuppting studying, free to do fun things on the weekend, instead of studying. Last night Dave seemed pretty worn out from his repeating daily schedule of just constantly studying so I woke up and pressed snooze for him, gave him a 5 minute back scratch and then made bacon and eggs for breakfast. I know there isn't much I can do to lighten his load but I am trying to give him a daily doze of joy to help lift his spirits. Any ideas of sweet somethings are welcome.

Girls Just want to Have Fun

My wonderful cousin Heather (on the right) arranged for all of the girls in the area in our family to get together for lunch at Zupas the other day to celebrate and catch up. It was so fun just so sit down, us girls, and have Ashley and Caitlyn show off their new engagement rings and share their stories. Then Aunt Jeralee, being the thoughtful and creative girl that she is suprised us with Valentine Cookies from Dear Lizzie's, which is a cute boutique I have yet to step into in Alpine. Then 15 minutes later Heather, being the thoughtful, creative/homemaker that she is whipped out homemade sugar cookies for each of us. Can't wait to do it again next month.....I feel the need to bring something delicious to whip out then...so I will be plotting.

I'm greatful to have such awsome ladies to call family!

Peer Pressure

The little girls I nanny are pressuring me to have a baby....keep in mind they are five and seven. ;) They are always asking me what I'll name HER...(apparently they only want a girl baby), and they ask me how big my belly will get and how much longer I am going to wait. The other night after dinner I had a short talk with the girls about why a woman's body changes so much when they are "growing a baby". They giggled, told me that I should have a baby allready and then dissapeared into the laundry room while I did the dishes. a few minutes past and I began to hear giggles getting louder and louder...so I finished up and then went to investigate.

I then opened the door to find THIS....

BaHahahaha

They then proceeded to waddle around the house with their hands on their lower backs pretending to be a prego Megan until bed time.

I love my job!

I just hope they don't make fun of me when I actually do balloon up to grow a baby.

Dancing through Life

I came across this video this morning while goofing around online. Little did I know I would end up in tears. Blame it on the birth control.

Make sure and have the volume on first.

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

I felt so inspired by this video and had a rush of thoughts and emotions while watching it. Yes we are all so different but we all have the ability to find Joy and we should all be doing it together. One person's decision to be happy can have a huge effect! Sometimes I feel like I shy away from people that are a little different from myself, I am challenging myself to embrace them a little more from now on. I'm also challenging Dave to dance with me like this tonight after work.....because that would bring me joy.

I think this might be my favorite Utube video of all time.....what's yours?

My Valentine

Valentines Day is next week. A day I look forward to all year in hopes that Dave with do something outlandishly romantic for me..... Dave is not a particularly sentimental person. He would much rather show me he loves me by how hard he works and small acts of kindness like doing the dishes for me when I'm exausted or making dinner.....which I know he likes to do just because he's better than me at it ;). But when it comes to holidays like Valentines Day I don't think he likes going BIG! It's just another day to show me he loves me. This year we decided we would definately be going to Tucanos, our favorite Brazillian resturaunt that is too expensive to ever go unless there is a fine occasion. When I called to make the reservations today they said they are having a Valentines special where they will cover our table with a cute cloth and a candle, include chocolate covered strawberries and roses. I was delighted to hear this and decided I am not going to nag Dave one bit for the next week or say one word about Valentines Day... but will secretly plan my outlandish act of love alone to suprise him. My ultimate plan is to spoil him rotten with love and food! Every Valentines Day I will get more and more outragous and then one year he will top it....I can wait for that year! And just incase I come off as ungreatful for Dave and his subtle acts of love I want to set the record straight that I would take a whole year of knowing I am loved every single day than one Valentine's Day with a big hoopla. I'm lucky that we get to have both.

Anyhoo...I am just really excited for next weekend and hope you are all thinking of something special to do as well.

Love is In The Air...

My older sister Ashley just got engaged to such a great guy.....who we've known for years. Dave an I could not be more excited to have her settle down and become and old married couple with us haha. Now the question is....who will have the first baby??

The second slice of greatest news that comes from this...I'M GOING BACK TO THE BAY AREA FOR A WEEK while all of these shinanigans go down. I can't wait. The wedding is May 1st...the same day Dave is taking his MCAT...at first we were really bummed he wouldn't be coming to /cali for the wedding, but we have discovered it's actually a great thing. I won't be around to bother him for a whole week...he can really study and focus before he takes the test. (a lot is riding on what kind of score he gets). Dont worry we are taking a road trip to Cor De Lane after his MCAT with friends ( we can't get enough of Cor De Lane)...so he won't miss out on all of the fun.

The third slice of greatest news that comes from this....MY MOTHER WILL BE IN THE TEMPLE WITH US....unfortunately when Dave and I were sealed my mother wasn't able to attend...it was hard and I prayed a lot for her during that time. When the thought occured to me that all of my siblings and my mother would be in the sealing room together for Ashley's wedding, tears came to my eyes. My testimony of the temple has really strengthened over this past year...and with it I have learned that whenever Dave and I decide to go, something always comes up that you just have to push through until you walk through those wonderful temple doors....but I could write a whole other blog about that.

Ashley we love you! Enjoy engaged life, but married life is bliss!

1 year of Joy

Today Dave and I are headed out to Lehi to celebrate our niece Kamryn's frist birthday.

I love her with all my heart and the thought that we will be moving from Utah for med school makes me so sad...she won't remember us hanging out with her for her first year and a half of life. She is the only niece or nephew I have been fortunate to live close enough to, to be there at their birth and watch them grow.

She is a beautiful little baby and I know she is going to be an amazing young lady when she grows up. But for now sweet baby....stay little as long as you can. I won't be able to pick you up much longer because you are a BIG bundle of joy. I hope our babies are as beautiful inside and out as our nieces and nephews are. We love you Kamryn.

Happy Birthday!

Yes this is actually her in the picture...isn't she just a doll!!! I just want to squeeze her.

The Little Things

If you know Dave and I you probably know we are easily

amused. One of our favorite things is going to feed the ducks at the BYU duck pond. This never gets old. I love listening to Dave giggle at all of the silly ducks. Like the one with the duck fro, or the cute blind one that kept running into his shoe to try and find the crumb (sad but what a cutie), or the ones that chase each other and slide on the ice. He has a laugh that just makes me melt. This time when we went it was lightly snowing and the pond was half frozen over. I don't think they had been fed in awhile because they would walk right up to our shoes or jump up in the air to eat the bread out of our hands. (I tried to post a video of it but my mac is wack...anyone have any tips on how to make it work?) Out of all the places I will miss in Utah when we leave this is definately one of them. Our goal is to have a pond on our property one day and have a few little duckies to call our own. Pretty silly but somehow I find it dreamy and romantic when Dave talks about it.

I love the little things in life.

Snow Day

My first sledding train....best idea EVER!

Dave and I went on a ward trip sledding in Elkridge on Martin Luther King Day.

It was so much fun. I felt like a little girl again screaming with the wind in my face and snow flying everywhere as we flew down the large hill on our saucers.

Dave definately couldn't resist nailing me with a few snowballs when I wasn't looking.

But don't worry....I got him back good! ( One straight shot to the back of the head.) It sounds harsh but Dave has no mercy therefore neither do I. We are so loving aren't we. ;) It was really nice to spend a carefree day with Dave and friends. After sledding we hung out at the bishop's house where his wife had chilli, hot chocolate and doughnuts.

This semester will be a tough one because Dave is starting his MCAT course on top of all his schooling and work. It makes me appreciate time we have together so much more. I don't know how he does it, but I hope he knows how much I love him and appreciate his hard work and devotion.

Can't wait for the next snow day!

I love being an Aunt

I am lucky to be an aunt to over almost 20 beautiful, adorable, hilarious, sometimes chunky and always lovable sweet kids. I wish I lived near them all, which would garauntee that a smile would never leave my face. They do things like give me kisses on my cheeks, hold my hands, play with my hair, give me back massages and say the darndest things that make me laugh and cry. I feel so very blessed to be a part of their lives and have them be a part of mine. My only concern is that my kids will never be as cute as all of these ones have turned out to be. I am grateful that my children will have such good friends and great examples and wonderful babysitters.

So here they are.....can't wait to see them all again!! I love you all!!!

I melt everytime I look at these photos......http://chad-kimberly.blogspot.com/