Family Reunion

This year we had a family reunion in California. I seriously have the best, funnest, loudest, craziest, happiest, funniest family ever. We crammed in so many fun things in just a weeks time. So I have included TONS of pictures to show everyone just how much fun we had.

On the first day we all met up at the Science Center near USC and watched the Hubble IMAX 3D, 'cause Pops works for Ball Aerospace, the company who built the telescope, so he had lots of insider information to share. Then we headed to a delicious dinner at Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles. This place has the best atmosphere and is a must when in SoCal.

Our next day was spent at Universal Studios. We all had on our matching family reunion shirts...aww how cute!

Day 3: DISNEYLAND!!! All day long! And it was Taylor's 5th birthday. So so SOO much fun. There is something that is just so fun about going to the magic kingdom with my entire family and 4 fun kiddies. We had a blast, and laughed our heads off. The next day we had to say goodbye to Jeremy, and then made a quick trip to the beach, which was kinda a cold and windy day, but everyone made the most of it. The highlight for me was watching my parents play in the waves!! They looked like they were 8 years old again playing in the ocean for the first time...hilarious!

So then after a fun filled time in SoCal, we headed north to Yosemite. We stayed in an amazing house and crammed in all we could up here too. We hiked the mist trail by Vernal Falls, saw Lower Yosemite falls, Bridal Veil Falls, went to Mariposa Grove, stopped at the most gorgeous overlooks of Yosemite Valley, and spent some time at Bass Lake. I love that my family enjoys the outdoors so much. We have done lots of hiking and camping together in some beautiful places, so it was fun to share the beauty of Yosemite with them.

This was seriously one of the best weeks of my life! I love my family so much...they really are my best friends. Even though we are all spread out across the country (Hawaii, Utah, Texas, Colorado, and Massachusetts) We still have such strong relationships. I can't wait till we are all together again!

HELLO

I know we have been a little MIA, but we are back, and I'm going to do some catching up on the past few months. With some extra "encouragement" from some friends and family (esp. Vanessa and Kaylinn), so I'll post these fast ;)

To get started, we had a huge event happen in May....Jason graduated Medical School!!! HOORAY!!! We had such a fun day with family and friends, and I couldn't be a more proud wife. He has worked so hard, and finally got to enjoy some celebration for four long years. Jason had 2 months off to play before he started Residency at Northern Colorado Medical Center in Greeley Colorado.

During Jason's break we took a trip up the California coast. We camped in Carpinteria, near Santa Barbara, the first night. What a beautiful area that was! We walked along the beautiful beach and really enjoyed the drive along central coast.

The second night we camped right on the beach. Near Pismo Beach there is a beach called Oceano. They let you drive on the beach and camp anywhere! It's right next to the Oceano Dunes, so lots of people take up ATVs and Dune buggies, but we just loved camping right next to the ocean. We had a campfire on the beach and a delicious dinner. It really was so great, I encourage everyone to check out this place! We did have some terrible winds to deal with, but those eventually died down and we had a lot of fun.

......stay tuned for more updates......

Happy Easter

This is always such a great time of year to reflect on what are the truly important things in life. Having General Conference and Easter on the same weekend turns our minds to the Living Christ. I am so grateful for this knowledge in my life and for the teachings of a living Prophet. Such a wonderful truth.

With other news....we are moving to COLORADO!!! Jason found out that he matched with a residency program in Greeley, which is about an hour north of Denver. We are very excited about this program. They really loved Jason, and the hospital is really nice. Jason will start the end of June, and I'll move once I finish school in August. We have enjoyed our adventure here in SoCal, but this will be a very exciting new chapter.

We have been able to enjoy ouselves down here...even got a little bit of snowboarding in this winter! This picture is at Snow Valley. We got to go on Jason's 29th birthday!! It was really such a fun day.

More highlights from November

A lot of really fun things have happened the past couple of months, so I'm just going to start with November.

Jason has spent several weeks beginning in September traveling around to different states for rotations and residency interviews while I was stuck in CA busy with nursing school. It was a little tough while we went through it, but now I can say it really wasn't so bad and I know it will be worth it. I was relieved when Jason finally returned home for good though.

November 15th was our 1 year anniversary!! Can't believe it, but it has been a great year. Jason surprised me with an over night trip up to Big Bear. There was even some snow up there and we got to go on the alpine slide, we ate some delicious food, and made s'mores. What a great break it was in the middle of some crazy busy weeks we've had. I'm happy to report, we are still happy, we've learned lots, we've struggled, but we are still happy and grateful to be married. Oh and we actually ate our wedding cake on our anniversary and surprisingly it wasn't too bad!!

For Thanksgiving we headed to Colorado. My entire family was able to make it, which is a rare occasion. We had the BEST time together! So many belly aching laughs and fun memories. I am so grateful that we had at least a few days to spend together. Can't wait for our reunion this summer.

One of the greatest events was going to the Bronco game on Thanksgiving. We had our own football game earlier in the day and an amazing turkey dinner, and topping it off by a win from our Bronco's was perfect. (I don't even want to talk about the outcome of the Bronco's season so don't even dare bring it up!) Colorado is a beautiful place and we had so much fun with our family.

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!