EARLY ANNIVERSARY

We are almost ready to have our 16th anniversary! For years, we used my parent's couch which we are most grateful for. It served it purpose and now we hope to find it another home where it can be useful!

We found this couch on a FaceBook group for a really great price! Brandon is so excited I told him, "Happy early anniversary!" I think he'll take it!!!

FAMILY ANNIVERSARY #14

I love that we celebrate our family anniversary, the day that we became a forever family. I think of that day often and love that we have added 2 children and a dog to our mix. This year was tricky because I have been in school. But, I was lucky that it fell on a Saturday. I went to school that day and came home in time to go pick up food and watch a movie.

The last couple years, we have picked up each member's favorite food or what they want that night. It requires a bit extra time. Not goin' lie though... this is SO much fun to see what everyone got and to take a bite of everything too. Luckily, the kids go along with whatever plans that we have set in motion.

Dad - Red Lobster
Mom - ButterBurrs
Faith - Burger King and Wendys
Dawson - Red Lobster and Burger King
Kate - Wendys

The spread of food

Kids starring at the feast that has been presented!!!

 



After we ate our meals, we sat down and watched Big Hero 6. It was such a fun movie! If you haven't watched it yet, put it on your "Must see!"

 

I love my family and am so grateful that we get to be together forever. They mean the world to me! Through all of the ups and downs of life, family is still there and will love you! I can't believe that it has been 14 years since we step into the celestial room. I remember that day, sweet Faith and Brandon, and all of the friends, family, and ward members who made the trip to support us that February afternoon! 



FAMILY CELEBRATION 2014

No pictures this time, but just to be official, we celebrated our 13th family anniversary this year! I cannot believe how long it's been since we were sealed in the temple.

This year, we decided to do something a little more low key and we definitely made the best decision. There was a pretty big snow storm so we probably wouldn't have gone out of town either.

The kids went to school like normal ... and then Brandon made sure that no homework was allowed! I made my favorite casserole. In the middle of the baking, the power went out for over 45 minutes! It was pretty crazy. We made do with the time to play Apples to Apples together. After extra baking time for the casserole, we ate dinner and watched Marley and Me together. And yes, we cried together.

Even though it was simple, our children enjoyed our special day! It's so great to remind our children the importance of temple marriage and that we are so grateful that we can be together forever. We are so blessed to have each other!

14 YEARS STRONG

I can't believe that Brandon and I have been married for 14 years now. We celebrated a couple days later on Saturday going out to dinner at Sizzler (where we went on our first date).

I put together a frame for Brandon with the amount of years, months, week, days, hours, minutes, and seconds we have had together. It was something simple, but very sentimental...

Brandon was able to have a car starter installed when I was in Florida. I was a lucky girl, because it will sure come in handy this winter! Wahoo for me!

Here's to seeing what this year will bring for us! Love you Brandon!

12 YEAR FAMILY ANNIVERSARY

This day, 12 years ago, Brandon and I were sealed as husband and wife. Then they brought in this gorgeous baby girl we call Faith and sealed her to us.  We always wanted to make a big deal of it, so this year, we checked the kids out of school and headed to Idaho Falls.

Brandon was great enough to stay with the kids while I went and did a session.  I am always surprised that I always know someone and see them at the temple.  This session was no exception.

Kate

Dawson

Faith

The kiddos

Mom and Dad 

It was a fun day!  The kids and Brandon bought Wendys while I was inside, so I did my traditional thing when I'm in Idaho Falls.  I supported Chic Fil A.  It was delicious as usual.  We also made our normal stop at the Cocoa Bean and picked up the best cupcakes in the world.  Before I could get a picture of all of the cupcakes, the cupcake gnome ate one.  Yes folks, they are THAT good.

During the ride home, Dawson started asking us a ton of questions, like how we met, how long we dated, and where we had our first date.  Brandon said that we went to Sizzler.  Dawson then said, "Well that settles it!  We are going to 'Sizzilers.'"  He is such a romantic at heart.  It was very touching.

The kids

Mom and Dad

We then watched Hotel Transylvania and just laughed and laughed all night.  I love our tradition and am just so grateful that Brandon and I have each other and the kids forever!

ANNIVERSARY SURPRISE #12

Our anniversary this year was on a Sunday... but Brandon had plenty in store for me on Saturday. 

 I came home and he gave me 2 beautiful pictures to have in our room.  He put so much time and effort into them.  They are fantastic.

This one has pictures of all of our kids that make up our picture.  (Jordan made it into this photo as well ...)

And this one sits on my dresser and is so fun!!!

Then, we went out to Sizzler for dinner and headed to Lava Hot Springs.  We went to the Hot Springs and then to the Lion's Gate Manor, which was a very nice bed and breakfast.  We stayed in the Persian Dream.  It was in the basement, but they had 10 foot ceilings, so it was wonderful!

Posing for the camera

The bed

Picture

The giant tub

The toilet

(Brandon's brother Justin has this thing about taking pictures of everything in the bathroom.  I guess that we are trying it out too.)

Sink and vanity

I am so very lucky to have a wonderful husband!!!  What a nice surprise for anniversary #12!

IT'S OUR ANNIVERSARY!

On February 7th, a very cold and wintery day this year, we celebrated our 10th anniversary of being sealed as a family for time and all eternity. I look forward to this day every year and can't believe how fast it comes and goes.

This year, we wanted to do something extra special for the kids that we would not normally do. The kids had been to Outer Limits once, so I thought that maybe this would be a fun time to play, eat dinner, and just have a good time. Unfortunately, Dawson was pretty sick, so we felt like we couldn't go out. Maybe next year (it's a secret.)

So, we let the kids decide where they would like to go to pick up food. We headed to McDonalds for the kids, The Works for Brandon, and Arctic Circle for me. It was really fun!

full mouth

Faith excited about her chicken nuggets

Dawson is happy too!

Oh yeah! Mcnuggets for me!

Then, after dinner, we sat down to watch Nanny McPhee Returns. Much to Brandon's surprise, we all enjoyed the movie and each other's company.



Here are my kids in 2011! I'm including them all so that you can see how hard it is to get a good picture with 3 gooster children!

11 YEARS AND COUNTING

On November 20th, Brandon and I celebrated our 11th anniversary. I used to remember when 11 years was SO long and for-e-v-er! Now, it seems like it is just a small time and forever still seems far away.

The handsome groom:

The beautiful bride:

The married couple:

During our reception, we had one of my dear friends sing to us the sing, "From this Moment."

From this moment life has begun
From this moment you are the one
Right beside you is where I belong
From this moment on

From this moment I have been blessed
I live only for your happiness
And for your love I'd give my last breath
From this moment on

I give my hand to you with all my heart
Can't wait to live my life with you, can't wait to start
You and I will never be apart
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment on

You're the reason I believe in love
And you're the answer to my prayers from up above
All we need is just the two of us
My dreams came true because of you

From this moment as long as I live
I will love you, I promise you this
There is nothing I wouldn't give
From this moment
I will love you as long as I live
From this moment on

Now it is not just for a moment, but for eternity. I can't wait to spend 11 more years with you, Brandon, love of my life, squatter-nut bosh!

ANNIVERSARY #10

It all started when a boy (Brandon) met a girl ('Michelle'). She was a 'Jensen' who went to bed at 7 o'clock every night. He was just another guy. If my counting is correct, that was 1987.


We have now been married 10 years. My, how the time flies. During our 10 years, we have been blessed to add to our family with 3 children, Faith, Dawson, and Kate. We have lived with in-laws twice (thanks Kathy and Jerry!), lived in 2 different apartments, and bought our first home. We've switched jobs too many times to count. We also have had a few different vehicles. We've had our share of ups and downs. But through it all, at least we had each other.

For our anniversary, Brandon surprised me and took me to New Moon (I love twilight) and then out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. It just a great night, just the two of us!


Thank you for a wonderful evening! I love you Brandon! Happy 10th anniversary!