To The One I Love

Happy Birthday, Elsie!

I have been fortunate over the last two weeks to spend time in the house where you grew up. In honor of you, I have put together some of my favorite pictures of you. It has been a joy talking with your parents about how wonderful you were as a child and the beautiful person you have turned into. Let's start at the beginning...

You were born at midday, weighing in at a perfect 7 pounds and 8 ounces. The night before you were born, Carolyn wandered down from her room to be with your mom. She soon fell asleep with her head on your mom's tummy, as if to say, "I'm ready for my sister to come." The next day her request was granted and a wonderful bond that began before you were born remains today as you two are still such great friends.

You started walking at the normal age, hitting all of your developmental milestones in stride. Strong work. Your mom shared with me that you were such a good eater but loved finger foods most of all. You even ate your fruits and veggies like a good girl.

The first thing I noticed about you is your beautiful eyes. Your parents shared with me how anybody who saw you would run over to get a better look at their darling little girl.

Side note: I really hope our little girls look like you.

It's been so fun to look back and see your unique personality shine through even at such a young age. Here you are showing off your adventurous side. A side I'm so grateful you have.

Another side of you I have always appreciated is your deep love for family. Here you are with your Grandma and Grandpa Theurer. I'm sure your Grandpa Theurer is anxiously awaiting his next game of Shanghai with you, as he loved playing cards with you.

This is perhaps one of my favorite pictures of all time. Look at that face and cute little bum! What a fierce competitor you are. Which reminds me, you are so going down the next time we play racquetball.

Here you are on your baptism day. I am so grateful for your parents teaching you as a young child to love the Savior. Even from this tender age you understood the importance of the Gospel in your life and have done your best to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. Thank you for making so many correct decisions along the way.

I knew you were perfect for me when I found out how much you love being outdoors. I love that we both can share an appreciation for nature, it's purity and beauty. By the way, awesome hair, feel free to bring that back any time you feel like it.Here you are surrounded by a bunch of dudes at EFY.

Sorry suckers, she's all mine.

It just keeps getting better. Not only are you beautiful but you like the outdoors and play sports too. Really? How lucky am I!

Here you are going long, real long. It makes me so happy that our children are going to be so athletic (well, let's keep our fingers crossed on this one). At least they will have height going for them.

I have no idea what you and one of your best friends, Elyse, are doing here but more power to you. Girl power that is. I especially dig the wildcat headbands. Again, another one you can feel free to bring back anytime.

I understand what a tremendous heart break it was for you to undergo so many problems with your broken feet. I am so proud of the way you reacted to this challenge in your life. Nothing could hold you back from smiling and enjoying life. We could all learn a thing or two from you.

Although dealing with your broken feet was still difficult, it allowed you pick up so many other talents and learn many wonderful lessons. I am grateful you were able to learn how to play the harp and share such beautiful music with others. Your mom told me about how you would go over and play for Sister Farr when she was not feeling well. I am sure that meant the world to her.

Graduation day at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Congratulations!

So, are you 18 yet, because the further we go along in these pictures the more attracted to you I'm becoming. I know, a little creepy. I'm just saying it would make me feel better if you were 18 in this picture, that's all.

Uh-Oh! Enter the man of your dreams, there he is in the lower left hand corner sharing his milkshake with another guy (There's nothing wrong with that, right?). This was your 20th birthday and really a turning point in our relationship.

I see you still have the Homer Simpson slippers in your closet that Darby and I got for you. I was so stoked to find out you were a Simpson's fan. So, now we are at good looking, nature lover, athletic and sense of humor. Quadruple threat.

Quick shout out: I would like to thank my cousin Breanne for this awesome shirt I'm sporting. She got it for me as a b-day present back in the day. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met and took good care of me when I was in Provo.

I love that you love Logan. What a fantastic place. I'll never forget the time we skipped rocks in Logan Canyon. I don't know if I have ever laughed so hard in my life. You have got serious skills.

Remember how Michelle showed up and with her first rock skipped it like eighty times? That was awesome.

Just when things between me and you were getting interesting came that fateful day at Provo canyon where we broke up. Sad face. You were sticking to your guns and life long desire to serve a mission. Of course, I did not understand this at the time but I am so grateful you put the Lord first in your life and decided to serve. We both learned so many valuable lessons in that time we spent apart. Besides, it helped a little that I just found out I was going to medical school in southern California.

Wait a minute, speaking of southern California, isn't that where you served your mission? One of life's ironies, you spent your whole mission within an hour drive from where I was living and going to school. That still makes me chuckle a little bit. I mean of all the places you could go and bam, there you are an hour away. I know the people of L.A. needed you though.

Glad to see that you were such a diligent studier. Killer glasses, sweetheart.

I would have paid money to see you riding this bike in Hollywood. I'm so grateful you made it out alive.

And like that, you were home again. I am so proud of your commitment to the Savior and your fellowman. I know your efforts touched the lives of many and they were lucky to have such an incredible sister missionary like you.

And then it happened. Only 1,197 weeks after you were born and give or take a couple of hours, you were sealed in the Sacramento Temple to the man of your dreams, me. It is such an honor to be your husband.

All eyes were on you that day, especially mine. I have never seen anyone look as beautiful as you did on that day. You make all my hopes, dreams and wishes come true.

You have swept me off of my feet. It is such a joy to share my life with you. Thank you for all of your love and support. I love my life with you.

What we've been up to......

Well the last couple of months have been a bit of an adventure. Jason has spent several weeks off and on in Colorado for some audition rotations for residency, and I have stayed in California as I started my LVN nursing program. I think we've done really well, but it will sure be nice when he comes home. Just a couple more weeks!

Jason has recently been staying with my parents and has sure enjoyed being with them. They even carved pumpkins together on Halloween. How cute. Jason is also in snow heaven with the recent storm they got. My dad is really good at putting Jason to work, but Jas said the snow blowing was really fun. He was trying to get the highest spray possible from that little machine!

I can't believe they got so much snow in October! All the way up to his knees! I miss the snow.

Jason first had a rotation in Greeley for a month and was able to go up to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park with my Pops one day. I love that Jason is gaining an appreciation for th incredible beauty of the Rockies. They are part of my soul! Pops and Jas have really become good buds, which I love. Two of the most influential men in my life. Fitting that my dad had to get a picture of them both on the famous "log" at Bear Lake. We take a picture out on that log every single time we are up there. So funny!

I was lucky enough to have Jason home for a couple of weeks between his Colorado adventures, and we enjoyed every second together. I am a firm believer that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Jason and I have been through lots of "distance" and I really do cherish our time together. The night before Jason headed back to Colorado he threw me a little birthday party. He made dinner, had streamers, gave me presents, had a yummy Red velvet cake, and even had a pumpkin to carve together. We had a good ol' time.

This final picture is my friend Christina and I on Halloween. We threw together these snowboarder costumes and went trick-or-treating! I felt a little out of place, but we only went to the houses of people that Christina knew, so it was actually really fun. And plus, I got lots of candy, wahoo! Our last stop was the Bishops house, and he sure thought we were ridiculous, but I know he was glad to see us!

Little Sisters

Little Sisters. We all have them and they're great. If you don't have one, you should consider getting one. Or, you could just take one of ours. This month has been special in that both of our little sisters came to visit us. They sure do brighten up our lives. They are both full of surprises, laughter and good times. We really are so grateful to have them in our lives. In so many ways they are the most perfect little sisters.

Kelsey (Jason's little sister) and her sweet friend, Kindal, came down from Roseville, CA. They were able to spend two days exploring Disneyland and California Adventure. We also took them on a crash course tour of LA and Beverly Hills, which included a stroll down Rodeo Drive and dinner at a hole in the wall Mexican joint that was delicioso.

Michelle (Elsie's little sister) visited us from Logan, UT. We were able to cram in Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, Oreos and peanut butter, Newport beach, Disneyland, Hollywood with Michelle's good friend Cassie, and some quality R&R.

I Love Surprises

For possibly the first time ever, Jason and I made a huge spontaneous trip. Jason's family had a family reunion last weekend, but due to Jason's work schedule, we didn't think we would be able to go. On Saturday, about 4:00 pm, Jason found out he didn't have to work again until Wednesday, so we decided to just go for it. We drove up to the beautiful Nevada City and got in about 2:45 am, and gave Jason's mom the biggest surprise! Only Jason's sister, Julie knew we were coming, so it was so fun to surprise so many people.

It was so peaceful up there, and so much fun. My favorite part was swimming in the Yuba river. Where I come from, the rivers are too dang cold to swim in, so it is awesome to me to have such a great river so close to go swimming in. I could have stayed there all day. So many funny memories happened there as well. Little Kelsey Rae never ceases to make us all bust a gut. Such a fun family.

I absolutely love Jason's family. There really are no scary in-laws to avoid. The more I'm around them, the more I love them. It was a very needed trip for Jason. He did NOT want to leave. I think he is getting a little home sick. It really is just a piece of Heaven up there. I think everyone needs to enjoy this little town. Mark it on your vacation lists because it always delivers.

Thank you to everyone who made us feel so welcome and at home. We love you all so much.

I'm Melting

It is so dang hot. I can't take it anymore!

Yosemite National Park

We were finally able to find some time to take a little vacation....choice of destination....Yosemite. Neither one of us had ever been, so we made plans several months ago. Our greatest goal was to hike to the top of Half Dome. We really had no clue what we were getting ourselves into,

but we were determined to conquer it no matter what.

Instead of describing everything we went through, I think it will be more enjoyable for everyone to just see some pictures from along the way.

Still happy at 8:00 am- Start time

The Mist Trail- Vernal Falls & Nevada Falls

BEAUTIFUL

Almost there. Just the cables left to get to the top!

WE MADE IT!! TOP OF HALF DOME!!

Jason could hardly contain his excitement,

and I was contemplating an alternate route back down.

I guess coming back down the way we went up wasn't so bad.

16.8 miles and 12 hours later, we made it back to where we started

not as happy and in a lot of pain. We slept GREAT that night!

I'm so proud of us for climbing half dome. It was so beautiful at the top and we worked through a lot, but I don't think I will EVER do it again.

The next day we had to visit everything else Yosemite has to offer. Really we only scratched the surface. El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Glacier Point were all breath-taking. Mariposa Grove was incredible too. Those sequoias are the biggest trees I have ever seen.

It was also a really fun coincidence that Carolyn and the Devine's were camping at the campsite right next to us on Bass Lake. We had a great time sitting around the fire, eating s'mores and skittles, and having hilariously fun conversations.

Seriously!?

Driving home from the Temple the other day, we had something huge hit our windshield. It hit so hard while I was mid-sentence that I had shards of glass in my mouth, and stuck into my forearm! Glass was everywhere. Jason even had some in his ear!! We have no clue what hit us. Crazy!!