This is us...

NEW!

2011-03-24T08:25:00.000-07:00

Well the time has come for me to move blogs....please come visit....

http://justplainalli.blogspot.com/

Missing you

2011-01-19T20:33:00.000-08:00

One year ago today my life changed forever. I received a call telling me that my brother had passed away-I was alone working in my classroom-I remember screaming and calling Josh to come pick me up-I don't remember much after that- I packed up my belongings and left my classroom a mess-I started walking down the hall and my principal came and helped me. I still can't believe it. There have been too many times this year that I have picked up my phone to call Riley and tell him something or send him a message. This has been a rollercoaster year and I've wanted to share things with him. I am so grateful for an eternal plan-I know I will get to see him again someday. Families CAN and WILL be together forever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM0-ZU8njdo

2010-05-15T08:11:00.000-07:00

2 years ago I was playing around with Riley in Washington D.C.-being dorks and taking silly pictures at some of the most historic places of our nation. The picture below is on our tour bus.

1 year ago my family came to see me graduate from Utah State. Riley decided that he too wanted to "graduate" so we took some pictures of him with my diploma. I told him that I would help him get there himself and that in a few short years he would be graduating from college too. Now my diploma is his too.

This last picture is from New Years day. We continued a fun tradition of going out to an early dinner on New Years-just the parents and their kids. We talked about the fun things from the past year and our goals for this year. 18 short days later I lost my brother. And now 5 months later I continue to struggle with the feelings stirred up with his death. We have had several "firsts" without him already. And while the holidays are hard I am finding that the small everyday things are harder. Recently I helped to conduct the choir at the elementary where I work-he couldn't come. When I changed my hair I didn't have him to tease me about it and then tell me that it looked great. When my class had Sports Day-he wasn't there to help with my students. Today as we do some yard work at Grandma's with everyone he will be missed-the last time we did was when he came and helped with leaves-laughing and singing and helping without complaint. When Chelsi graduates from high school in a few weeks he won't be there to yell for her or to eat a big steak at Outback (a graduating tradition for our family). When I move my classroom and start at a junior high he won't be there to tell me that I will do fine and to not be afraid. When Josh and I start a family I won't have my little brother there to hold his neice/nephew. I'm sorry this is so down but I needed to get some things out. I miss my brother.

Blast from the Past....

2010-04-14T19:15:00.000-07:00

Wow tonight brought a blast from the past. My nephew is doing a report on Carbon County-which happens to be the home of CEU! He asked me to look through my pictures to see if I had some he could use. So I decided to go through my picture box...I was amazed at all the pictures that I had and all the memories that came rushing back with each one. Each snapshot brought memories flooding into my mind. I couldn't believe some of the things that I had forgotten about or pushed to the back of my mind. Some were tender and sweet memories while others brought memories of regret and disappointment. And yet I am proud of what my life has become.
To my friends from CEU-thank you for accepting me for who I was at the time and the journey to becoming on the path to who I wanted to really be-even if that meant stupid choices. Thank you for the memories of my first years of college that can never be taken away. Thank you for crazy adventures at midnight and later(ok mostly later) I won't really mention them for reasoning of incrimination of myself and others :) You got me through more than you even know. And especially to my AJ Girls-what would I have done without you? Then or now? You guys have stuck with me through thick and thin. I CANNOT wait until we open our time capsule in a few weeks!
To my friends from USU...ahh where I grew into myself. To my SPED family-what would I have done without you? I doubt I could have gotten through school without all of you. Graduation was something that became possible through all your love and support. To my roommates-my family away from Magna...ahh what can I even say? Our adventures could not be matched. My last year of CobbleCreek was wonderful! God could not have given me better roommates that complimented my every need in roommates.
And to my family-wow pictures from years ago brought wonderful memories and sadness at the same time-pictures with Riley brought bittersweet things. And to my Joshy...ahh the pictures-from middle school to high school to college to now-it was so fun to see our wonderful timeline of life together-I can't wait to share many more years with you.
It was so fun to look through the memories and think of the memories that are yet to be made. I know I didn't talk about everyone but the pictures that I looked through brought some wonderful memories. So to those that helped make those memories thank you...to those that will make more memories with me-thank you now!

Day by Day

2010-02-15T13:05:00.001-08:00

Wow this last month has flown by and yet has been some of the longest days of my life. Some of you may or may not know the tragedy that my family has been going through. My little brother Riley passed away unexpectedly on January 19th. Words can't really express the emotions or feelings that accompany a death. There are so many things that I wish I could have or would have said. Wishing I had invited him over one more time to hang out or go and do something. I must say that I feel blessed to have had the time that I did with Riley. Josh and I were able to go to a movie on New Year's Day with Riley-just the 3 of us hanging out.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the amazing memories that I am able to have of Riley. As I think about the last few weeks I am so incredibly grateful for the knowledge that I have of eternal families. The knowledge that I KNOW I will see my brother again has brought much comfort. I am blessed to KNOW that we will be together as a family someday. That is why life can continue for me-that is why I will never forget him.

This picture is me and my beautiful sisters.

One last family picture with Riley's casket.

This last picture from that day is our family doing a group hug at the cemetery. It was a wonderful moment that we were able to share.

Here are some of my favorites...
Riley's high school graduation!

Here we are in DC...what a stud!

Chilling on the tour bus..we thought we were pretty cool!

Now compare the next 2 pictures...taken in the same place...he is "one tall drink of water" :)

And lastly from my wedding...love him!

The Joys of Teaching...

2009-12-08T18:39:00.000-08:00

When I started teaching I really wondered how many funny stories and positive things I would have...well I have quite a few! I love my job and I love my class. My little kiddos are wonderful (most days :)) and I am constantly amazed at their little minds...here are just a few stories...

• This story takes place over several weeks...one student gets bored very easily. He was at home and playing in the backyard...he decided to climb the wooden fence in the yard to go out in the neighborhood. Then after the parents discovered this they put another wooden fence up-so that it was straight fence slats. At this point the student decided to get his VERY large dog to help-by playing with a dog toy and then throwing it over the fence and telling the dog to dig...student then preceded to climb after dog. That took some serious problem solving-little stinker.

• Another student decided he didn't want to come to school one day-all of my students are picked up at their homes by a bus. This student had gotten into a little trouble the day before. So the student who was at this point home with just dad decided to take all of his shoes and dad's shoes and hide them throughout the house-no two same shoes put in the same place. So dad couldn't find any pairs. The student ended up staying home for the day-at lunch dad said to him "well I guess there is no point in going to school now" the student immediately went and got all of the shoes and put them back where they belonged.

• Every day I am greeted with a bright smile from a certain little student-when I ask how the student is doing it is always "fun"-even though the student means "fine" even after correcting the student we are yet to hear anything different :)

• Another student knows Disney and Star Wars movies better than anyone I know. If you show the student a picture of any character or actor/actress the student can tell you the movie and the name of the person/character you are asking about. I have to constantly remind the student that we only play Star Wars at home-otherwise we have constant "x-wing" and "destroyer" fights and flights :) sometimes even lightsaber fingers are in our classroom.

• One more student loves to look in mirrors and will work for holding a small mirror. Even without a mirror we are constantly hearing "(insert student's own name here) cute", "(insert student's own name here) pretty", or even "cute hair"(while the student plays with own hair.

Well this is just a sampling of the last few months in my room...at least the positive ones-these things help me get through the hard times.

Don't know where the time has gone....

2009-12-04T10:16:00.001-08:00

It is amazing to me how fast time flies. Life has been crazier than ever! Our lives have been a whirlwind. So instead of trying to do a million blogs I will just give you a list of a few of the things we've done since we last blogged…
• We took a road-trip up to Oregon for Clint and Michelle’s wedding (where Josh looked amazing in a tux ☺)
• We spent time in the ocean while in Oregon.
• We moved to a little house-I call it our cottage-in Sandy and are LOVING not having any neighbors through the walls or ceilings.
• We made our first BIG purchase as a married couple…a brand new Washer and Dryer-I LOVE them!
• We had our nephews sleep over a few times and spend some time with us-I love those three.
• We had a great time for our one-year anniversary in August by going to Park City and enjoying quality time alone.
• I set up my very first classroom-with lots of help from my mom, my sisters, and two of my nephews, and of course Josh. I could not have done it without them-I got into my classroom the Wednesday before school started...
• Josh started his first semester of college-He’s doing awesome! Way more on top of things than I was ☺
• We both celebrated our 24th birthdays…it is fun being only 3 weeks apart!
• We have both seen more leaves and pods than we care to think about ☺-for those of you that have seen our house you understand. Over 40 bags this year…
• We got to see “New Moon” before the official premiere because of a teacher at my school who had a whole theatre and a private showing.
• I am still enjoying teaching ☺-I will have to do a whole separate blog about the fun stories I have from being a teacher (not including names of course ☺)
• I got to enjoy my first "black friday" with my sister and her good friend-it was a BLAST and definitely worth doing! Can't wait until next year!
• Josh and I get to set up a "real" Christmas tree this year-no more 6 1/2 foot ceilings for us.

I know I am forgetting lots of things but these are the ones I can think of at this point. I am hoping to be more on top of this blogging thing but can’t promise anything…

BUSY BUSY BUSY...and no internet...

2009-06-05T16:02:00.000-07:00

So I know that it has been over a month! But with graduating came moving and that resulted in being without internet. We have waited to get any because right now we are living in my grandmother's basement until we move in late July to a more permanent place! This has been one crazy month-Josh is now a specialist in the Millworks department at Lowe's and is enjoying his time there as much as he can (it is still a job :)) I have been substituting and job hunting...which finally came to an end on Wednesday! I am going to be teaching in a special education classroom that will have 12 students that are in the 3rd or 4th grade. Elementary wasn't my first choice but I have fallen in love with this school and know that this is where I am supposed to be-so off we go into the adventure.
We are excited for the warmer weather and have even helped my grandma plant a small flower and tomato garden that we are excited to see growing. But one of the most exciting things for us that is coming up is our trip to Oregon! We can hardly wait! One of our best friends is getting married and Josh is the best man. We are so excited for you Clint and can't wait to have Michelle officially inducted in the group! This will also be the opportunity for us to have our first road trip as a married couple that is more than to Idaho. Nothing else too exciting has been happening...we are just feeling super blessed to be doing and having all the things we do.

CRAZY!!!!

2009-05-01T12:33:00.000-07:00

Wow! It has been an insane month here at the Gee house. I finished up my student teaching the last part of April and turned in my portfolio. I got the official news today that I had officially passed student teaching and would be graduating tomorrow! It is hard to believe that all my work these last five years have led to this-me graduating with 2 bachelor degrees. I am not sure that it has really sunk in fully yet. I have been interviewing in the Salt Lake valley and I have some promising prospects-but I better let them remain nameless until things are finalized. I am so grateful for all the love and support I have had these last few years. My family has been so wonderful. My new family (Josh's side) has also been great. It has been a long road but one that has been well worth it. I am so blessed! Josh and I have been very blessed these last few months. It is hard to believe that just over a year ago we got engaged. I am amazed at how supportive and loving he has been to me. I also want to brag a little about him...he took care of so many things this year so that I could focus on school-dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc. On top of all of that he worked full-time so that I wouldn't have to work at all. He was the best thing that I could ask for. He even got a great transfer and promotion at his work down in Salt Lake.
We are excited for our new adventures that await us down in Salt Lake and one thing we can't wait for is to be closer to our families. I have missed seeing my nephews growing up and our siblings. I have also missed my best friend-my mom. This next year is going to be a busy one but one full of great things! We are stoked to go to Oregon in June for our best friend from childhood's wedding-we love you Clint!

So to all those who have been involved in our lives so far-THANK YOU! It's been fun! To those friends I have made in Logan-you have helped shape my life. To my SPED family-where would I be without you? You guys are awesome and I can't wait to see where all of our lives take us. And to "M" thanks for being my rock and the one I knew I could turn to. I have loved seeing you and your family grow and you may be one of the only things that could ever make me even begin to think of living in Logan. I had better see you tons and hear from you even more. Thanks for pulling me through and being there when I needed you most. True friends never part!

HAPPY GRADUATION Utah State University-Class of 2009!!!!!!

And the winner is.....

2009-03-26T15:01:00.000-07:00

Ok so just to preface this I want to say that I never win drawings EVER...but I think that it has all been leading up to this...Utah State had their grad fair the last two days where you needed to buy your cap and gown and they tried to sell you other stuff. Well if you went to the few booths and had then punch out their block you could turn your card in for a drawing. The grand prize being an iPod touch. Well even though I never win I decided to try any way and thought that I might win one of the small prizes (a USU cup with candy). To my surprise I got a call today to come in and pick up my prize at the bookstore. And this is what she handed me...

That's right I won the grandprize! I almost wanted to hug her right there. I couldn't really believe it and even checked to make sure it really was my entry card taped to the box! So I am now the proud owner of an iPod touch! And just think-Josh and I almost went and bought some iPods a few weeks ago... :)

Something to think about

2009-03-16T20:15:00.000-07:00

Today I had the opportunity to have some thinking time while my students were out at their mentor classes (they get to go to spanish, p.e., music, art, etc.). I worked on some lesson plans and was searching some things online and came across a qoute by Cat Stevens-"I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter, but I never knew that looking back on my laughter would make me cry." I look back at my life and find this quote so incredibly applicable. Especially right now. So many things in my life have changed in the last few months and will continue to change. Especially as I get ready to graduate-looking back on the last 5 years of my college life. I have been so lucky in so many areas and then unlucky in others. But all in all I am proud of what I am doing and what I have done. I am more than willing to admit that I did not make the wisest of choices as some points. However I know see that those choices have helped shape me into who I am today. So to those that have helped me in my journey to where I am today and for giving me things to "cry" about now.

A New Chapter

2009-03-07T11:27:00.000-08:00

So I feel I need to play catch up again. I finished up my student teaching block at the middle school. My last day we went bowling and for pizza. It was so fun seeing the kids get excited for each other and themselves for hitting even just one pin. What a great experience-these kids have taught me so many things in the last two months. My cooperating teacher was such a great example. She helped me to grow and become confident. I have only been gone a week but I already miss them.

As for the new chapter...well I began my new block in my 5th grade classroom. My new cooperating teacher is also amazing! She is letting me take the reins as much as I'm comfortable with until a week from now and then the class is all mine! A little scary I won't lie but I know it is such a great opportunity-one that many student teachers don't get. So I will move forward...getting ready for Geometry and Inherent Traits...this is going to be an interesting 2 months.

As for the other aspects of life...Josh is wonderful and is really helping me out with anything I ask. Work is going really well for him and he is enjoying his job. I am still plugging along on my portfolio-it seems like it will never end or be finished-ugh! But we're getting there and are grateful for the opportunities we have been given.

My Turn!!!

2009-02-23T10:17:00.000-08:00

Well I figured I had better post something if this is the Busy "GEES" blog spot, and to take some time to brag about Alli!! I have been as happy as I hoped it would be and more being married to an amazing woman such as Alli. It's the smartest and wisest decision I made to ask her to marry me. Luckly for me she said yes. It's amazing how many little things she does just for me to make me happy. One of my most favorite things she does for me is that she will share her last pieces of candy with me though I had already eaten all of mine. If you know Alli you know she likes her candy and making it last. If she wouldn't share it with me I am sure it would last longer. You know that someone loves very much when they know how you are feeling, what you are thinking or what you are gonna say. There has been many times she has guessed right how I was feeling, what I was thinking,and going to do or say. You don't want to ask her what it means when my ears go red, believe me! Alli you are a strong woman. You are ambitous. You are pasionate in all things that are important to you. You are loving. What I love even more is that you are tender hearted and very sweet at the same time. But what I love most is you and that you are my wife. I love you very much. XOXO x infinity!!

Pay it Forward...

2009-02-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

This sounds like a fun adventure...

The first five people to comment on this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you. This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!
2. What I create will be just for you.
3. It'll be done this year (hopefully sooner than later.)
4. You will have no clue what it is going to be.
5. I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.
The catch? Oh the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog. The first 5 people to do so and leave a comment telling me you did will win a marvelous homemade gift by me!

Let the games begin!!

One Day At A Time...

2009-02-21T16:30:00.000-08:00

That is my newest motto...I have to remember that as I try to accomplish things. Remembering that it is ok to not finish everything on your "to-do" list. On another note I amazed at how fast the last 2 months have gone by. This next will be my last in the classroom that I am in. I am excited for the new adventure that I will be going into but I will miss my class that I am in SOOO much. It has been one of the hardest and most rewarding experiences of my schooling career. What I really can't believe is that May is so close and that I will be graduating. But it is looking like I will not finish my schooling there...I am really looking into grad school and my options. Anywho life is good and is going great. Being married to Josh has been the best thing ever! Thanks to those who have kept in contact and have kept my spirit afloat when I felt I was sinking...you know who you are!

6 months of togetherness!

2009-02-21T16:08:00.000-08:00

Josh never ceases to amaze me with all the things he does for me and for us and how much he truly loves me. Last weekend we not only celebrated valentines day but we celebrated being married 6 months on Monday-he is my light and my strength. These last 6 months have been the best and I stoked to be able to continue the journey to eternity together. We had a great weekend together and I feel nothing but blessed to have Josh in my life. Saturday we went out to dinner and then went to play games and watch movies with Steve and Monika-we love hanging out with them and I feel so lucky to have a great friend like Monika. Josh was able to get Monday off as well and we spent the entire day just the two of us. We even dressed up and went to dinner at Copper Mill-YUM!!!

I just want Josh to know how much I love and appreciate all the things he does for me. I love how well we know each other and how we are able to read each other and help the other one out. Thank you for believing in me and inspiring me to be the best that I can be. You are my hero and the love of my life. I can not wait until we have children and I can tell them how incredible their father is.

Feeling it...

2009-02-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

So we are into February...it is so hard to believe. I have definitely been feeling the pressures and responsibilities of student teaching. I am almost feeling a constant tiredness. But I am also feeling bouyed up by my husband, my family, my cooperating teacher, and some of my closest friends. It has definitely been a struggle to keep things going at points but I am happy with what I've been able to do. This last Friday I was able to have my class without my teacher(she took some vacation days) I even took them on a fieldtrip. I am so grateful for some wonderful people in the community here that are willing to give us support. We were able to go to Firehouse Pizzeria where my students got to make their own pizzas and then took a tour and even got to see their pizzas cooking. It was a great experience. The last two weeks in my practicum have been the hardest by far in my education. One student in particular has decided that they would like to challenge me as much as possible-and yet they have become one I look forward to seeing each day.
Now it's onto my portfolio and interviews...but unfortunately I am just feeling no inspiriation and just plain blah...we'll see how the next few weeks go :) Thanks again for all the support everyone!

Feeling Loved

2009-02-01T09:52:00.000-08:00

I found out about this great new website that helps you make scrapbook pages...I am so excited...you can then make it into a movie of pages or print out your book. For those of us that are creatively challenged this is awesome!

Catch Up!

2009-01-31T11:18:00.000-08:00

Wow...I have been a complete slacker in the blogging world. This last month has been an insane whirlwind! We have been really busy with life. I have been working my tail off and getting adjusted to my classroom. I have a really great opportunity. I have 10 students with some peer tutors mixed in. This classroom has some awesome aides and a teacher that has blown me away. I have been able to learn more than I ever thought. There have been lots of challenges and lots of success.
Josh has been working way hard so that I don't have to worry about anything but student teaching. He is so wonderful. I can't even express how much I appreciate all that he does. The biggest thing for me lately has been the little things that he does-even yesterday he left a note for me while he was on his lunch break-what a keeper.
We are both really looking forward to the end of the semester and moving! We can't wait to be closer to family as well as me being done! I am really looking forward to my own classroom. Thanks to all those who've supported us and have kept us in their lives.

Bringing in the New Year!

2009-01-04T15:37:00.001-08:00

Josh and I had a great New Year celebration! We spent New Year's Eve with my sister TeKarri and her family at their house. And boy was it a full house. TeKarri is the best hostess. It was Josh and I, my little sister Chelsi and her friend, and Troy's friend from high school and his little family. We had a great time with so many fun people! Troy's friend Mike was a total crackup. We played Rock Band, the Wii, and a fun new A to Z game. We brought in the new year with fireworks and sparklers and of course the traditional toasts with sparkling cider. We all stayed the night there so we wouldn't be on the road with crazies. Troy even made us some awesome omlettes in the morning and pinchcake!
New Years day we went and spent some time with Josh's family for awhile until we went to my mom and dad's house. For Christmas my mom and dad wanted to take have all of us over for some games and then take us all to dinner. So we played some games and then headed to The Spaghetti Factory where we had lots of yummy food. We even told them it was my mom's birthday-her face was priceless. All in all we had great time with our families.
The next day Josh had the day off and we had a day with just the two of us here in Logan. What a great break! It will be awhile before we have a whole day with no real plans since school starts for me.
The pictures below are of New Year's Eve! Awesome night. Thanks Troy and TeKarri for letting us play and stay!

Pondering

2008-12-28T14:15:00.000-08:00

I know that I've blogged a lot the last few days but some recent events have made me feel like I needed to share. This last week was wonderful as we celebrated Christmas. Upon arriving back in Logan we heard of 2 deaths that occured on Christmas Eve. Two men were snowmobilers were out in Logan canyon and were caught in an avalanche. One of these men was just 23 years old and got married just one week before Josh and I. As I read their obituaries I thought more and more of how short life can be and how trials can come when we least expect it. My heart goes out to these two young men's families. I think to a general conference talk by Elder Costa in October of 2007 where we were told to live in the now and to tell those that we love how we feel. I feel so blessed to know that if something did ever happen to Josh or I that no matter what we are sealed together forever. I hope that I express my love to my family and friends in ways that they know how I feel. Thanks to you all for loving me and puting up with me.

Playtime with JD

2008-12-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

Just before Christmas Josh and I had the chance to go down to Salt Lake. We had a few last minute presents to pick up and wanted to get out and about. We decided that since we don't get to see my nephew very much we would see if we could borrow him for the day. We went and picked him up from the daycare where my sister works and got ready to go out! My mom needed us to pick up some chocolate for them to use for dipping chocolates. Then we went a few other places. JD was so good during all of it. Even while we were shopping. We had a great time playing around in the stores and picking out gifts. We then decided to take JD to lunch-he loves chicken nuggets so we went to Wendys. We also got to go and visit my mom at her school and surprise her with JD! He was so excited to see her. He is so smart and I love seeing him grow. I am grateful for cell phones and knowing that even though I'm far away I can talk to him. It's pretty fun to see Josh with him too-he loves calling him Uncle Josh-and Josh is now used to the fact that he has 3 awesome nephews. We are hoping when we come down again we can take my other two nephews out (they had school the day we were down) or that my sister TeKarri and hubby Troy can come up and have a small getaway while we take the boys. I love being with family and can't wait until we live a little closer so that visits aren't so far between.

The happenings of Christmas!

2008-12-26T17:15:00.001-08:00

We had a crazy holiday season this year! Josh had to work Christmas Eve as well as the day after Christmas. Our original plan was to leave as soon as Josh got off work and then come back Christmas day. The weather forecasters were telling us that it wouldn't really work :( luckily for us the weather was good and we decided to go ahead and make the trip to see our families-Josh made some calls and made sure that if traveling back would be impossible that someone would be able to cover for him. We had a great time Christmas Eve with all of my extended family having the traditional Derricott Christmas Eve with a slight twist. This year instead of family gifts we all donated money and my aunt bought supplies for hygiene kits. We put together almost 100 kits and also made hats and scarves (one of the pictures is of the men making them). Then came caroling and the traditional pasoley (yes I know I can't spell it)and homemade chicken noodle soup. We then had a performance of the nativity. Then we opened our one Christmas Eve gift-JAMMIES!!! Then came the traditional PJ parade through my grandma's house! All in all it was a wonderful night!
Christmas day we woke up early and headed to Josh's parents house. We had a great time seeing what Santa brought and opening presents with his family. They got a new TV and sound system for their newly finished basement and so they headed down to set it all up. We met all my siblings and families at my parents just after ten and exchanged gifts with them. After that we went back to Josh's parents where we spent the rest of the afternoon playing games and having a wonderful Christmas dinner.

The weather was looking pretty good so we decided that we would be fine and we'd be responsible and head back to Logan so that Josh could work at 5:30 the next morning. The roads were great and weather was wonderful...until we hit Brigham City. We quickly called both sets of parents and asked for a quick prayer to be said in our behalf while we offered some of our own. Because of Josh's vision I was driving. As we headed into the canyon the snow and winds became much worse. It was a complete whiteout and I couldn't see 10 feet in front of me. Luckily for me a large suburban and truck decided I was going too slow and paved the way for me-I followed their taillights and tracks all through the canyon. Had it not been for them it would have taken a whole lot longer. After we got through the canyon we found out that the canyon had officially been closed now. We got home and called family to let them know were safe-we had two very worried mothers. The next morning we woke up to find that we had over a foot of snow!
All in all we feel very blessed this holiday season and we are truly grateful for not only the wonderful presents we received from family and friends but more importantly the time and love that we got to share. We consider ourselves super lucky!

Christmas Elves!

2008-12-14T14:07:00.001-08:00

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

2008-12-14T12:04:00.000-08:00

This is super long but totally worth the read!

So with Christmas creeping up on us super fast Josh and I decided that we had better get our tree decorated and presents wrapped! Yesterday after Josh got home from work we decided to finish up some shopping. We hadn't decided on what stockings we wanted as well as some shopping for a few more family members.

One of the best things happened though...we decided to go to Kohl's because we had a 20% off coupon and Josh has been needing some new jeans. Lucky for us the jeans were on sale so we got him two pairs. We also got a few other Christmas items that we were needing (I'd share but someone we bought for may read this). While we were finishing up shopping the power went out-which ended up being a blessing in disguise. Because as we were waiting in line (we were second) waiting for their computers to boot up and get online a manager came up to us and quietly asked if we would like to go to the back to the customer service desk. I was a little reluctant and asked if there would be a long line there as well-she assured me there wouldn't be. So we decided to hurry back there. There wasn't anyone back there! We told them that the front had sent us back here because of the outage since they were online-so they rang us up. The coolest part was that our total came to just over $120.00 which we were kind of expecting. We then got our 20% off (even sale items). The cashier then informed us that because a manager had sent us back the policy was to give 25% off everything as well. On top of that because our total was still over $50.00 we were entitled to a $10.00 Kohl's cash card. So all in all our purchases came to just over $50.00. We were so incredibly excited and feeling very blessed.

We then went and purchased our stockings and decided we wanted some dinner before heading home. We went to our favorite little place- "Pupuseria" it is an amazing place here in Logan. We then headed home to wrap presents! All in all we had a wonderful date night and enjoyed the time together. We still have some wrapping to do and we didn't put all of the things we wrapped under our tree because we had put them together to take to Salt Lake. Yay for Christmas. We are having a great time finding presents for our families.
I made some heating rice bags-18 actually-for some Christmas presents. I have to say I'm pretty proud of them!
I love the stockings that we decided on. You can't really see it but they are even little jewels on the letters to make them nicer. I LOVE them.
This is our little tree. It has a story of it's own. We have low ceilings in our apartment so we decided not to get a nice fake tree because it wouldn't fit. And because of my allergies I can't have a real tree. We are also planning on spending some of Christmas with family so I didn't see a point in getting a tree but my 9-year old nephew heard this and told his mom that they couldn't let Uncle Josh and Aunt Alli not have a Christmas tree...so he gave us one! Love that kid. Thanks Trev! So this is what we have and we love it!

Merry Christmas Mice

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I found this on a friend's blog and fell in love with it. I think it is super cute!

Merry Christmas Mice

• 1 maraschino cherry with stem
• 1 chocolate candy kiss
• Chocolate almond bark or dipping chocolate
• 2 peanut halves
• 1 tiny red candy ball
• 2 silver dragées (candy balls)

1. Melt almond bark in the microwave or in a double boiler.
2. Dip cherry into melted almond bark by holding stem. Place on waxed paper.
3. Immediately stick unwrapped flat end of the chocolate kiss onto end of chocolate covered cherry.
4. Use a toothpick to place a small amount of chocolate on the sides of the chocolate kiss and attach the silver dragées to make eyes.
5. Place red ball on tip of kiss to create the nose.
6. Dip end of peanut halves in almond bark and place between cherry and chocolate kiss to make the ears.
7. Place in freezer for a few minutes to set. Place mice in paper liners if desired.

Intro to us!

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We decided that since we are now married we should just combine blogs and have one so here we are. I guess we'll give ya a little get to know you about us!

Josh had a few different homes before his family settled in Magna in the 4th grade. Josh is the second boy of six! He loved growing up with all boys and the rough housing that came along with it. He is currently working at Lowe's and has been noticed by management as a hard worker. Below is a picture with his 5 brothers. Josh's older brother is married as well while his other brothers live at home.

Alli grew up in the same house her whole life-where her parents and some siblings still live. She is also the second child in her family. But her family has four girls and one boy. Right now Alli is finishing up her schooling-she will be graduating in May with two Bachelors-one in Severe Special Education k-12 and one in Elementary Education k-8. She is really excited to start her own classroom and aply the education she has been given. Below is a picture with all her siblings. Her olders sister TeKarri has two boys, her younger sister Karli has one little boy, while Riley and Chelsi are still living at home. Riley graduated this last year from high school and Chelsi is in her junior year.

Josh and Alli dated on and off through high school and before and after his mission. They were each other's first kiss. We think that we had a unique and wonderful opportunity to grow up together. Lots of people say that there are lots of things that change and come out after you get married-we have found that this hasn't really been the case for us-we have known each other so long that things don't seem to be that different other than we don't have to leave each other at the door after a date. We are loving life in Logan but can't wait to move and be a little closer to family and the next adventures in store for us!