On the Road Again

In the middle of June I experianced my first car accident. It was quite exciting, but not in a good way. Our poor car suffered quite a bit of damage and had to be towed away on the spot. Of course it so happens to be that we planned on taking only one car with us when we move and this was the car. It was in great condition, not too many miles, leather interior all the works and best of all its paid off. For over a week the poor thing sat at the auto body shop while the shop and the insurance company decided whether or not they were going to total the car. Justin and I really wanted the car to be fixed but the shop said the odds of that happening were slim. One day the shop called and said the insurance company gave to go ahead to fix the car. We were really excited, and a week later we got to go pick up our car. I have never seen the car look so good! With a new paint job, new mirrors, new parts and lights a buff job and good cleaning our car looks fabulous. It felt wonderful to drive it home again. I am looking forward to having some freedom back too! Justin and I have been trying out this one car family thing and it wasnt too bad, but I did walk to work a couple of times(the whole 4 1/2 blocks! I know I am pathetic to even drive in the first place) and I was starting to feel a little trapped at home on my days off. It was a good experiance though. It showed us what life is going to be like soon when we really only have one car, and it gave me such an appreciatiion for our good running cars and the freedom that cars give us. I love my car!

Record

I think I must have set some sort of record. In two days I blogged from December to the present month of July, granted I left out quite a bit, but I got all the big stuff in. After feeling ashamed of only blogging twice in almost a year, I decided it was time for a change. Justin and I will be moving in one month to Minneapolis and I think that this blog will be a great way to keep in touch. It will be hard to live right smack in the middle of Virginia and Utah and be over a thousand miles away from the closest family member, but hopefully this blog will make the distance a little less daunting. So, to all our friends anf family, come back often and keep in touch!

a REAL good time

My dad was able to be in Utah for 2 days before a trip to WY. Justin and I went down to see him and my grandparents. It was SO great to see my dad. It is hard having my family live so far away. My dad, me, Justin, and my brother Jordan and his cute pregnant wife Aubrey all went to the REAL Salt Lake game on the 12th of July. We had such a fun time. Jordan is the biggest REAL fan ever and he and his wife have season tickets so they were fun to go with. Then on sunday, Justin and I went to church at my Grandparents ward with them and my dad. It was really cool to see all the people who grew up with my dad. Everyone was really excited to see him again. We had a wonderful weekend of visiting, and it was really hard to say goodbye again until who knows when. We love you Dad!

Aubrey, Jordan, Dad, Me and Justin

Me and my Dad

Happy Birthday Jess!

On July 9th I turned 23 years old, WOW! It was such a perfect day. My wonderful hubby cleaned the kitchen for me which was awesome. I opened gifts and I got the most wonderful things! My parents gave me money, a way cute necklace, and a vera bradley purse. I got money from grandparents and a purse from my grandparents. Justin got me the most beautiful silver necklace and bracelet that he picked out himself! He also got me shoes that i have been wanting and bare minerals make up and a game called Ticket to Ride which is so much fun! We went shopping in the afternoon, and then we went and saw WALL-E which is now my new favorite movie. Then we went to dinner at Hamiltons Steakhouse here in Logan. Then we went my in-laws for cake and ice cream and MORE gifts!! I got more money for some books, a gift wrap set and lots of candles and air fresheners and lotions from bath and body works. It was such a fabulous day. I had many phone calls and text messages wishing me a Happy Birthday and I just want to thank every one for the great gifts and for making it a special day!

Happy 4th of July!

On the 4th of July we went to the Stadium of Fire. The weather was not as hot as I had been anticipating so that was great! Miley Cyrus put on a pretty good show, but the thousands of screaming little girls out did her. It was crazy! The fireworks were awesome as well. I love every chance that I get to be patriotic and to remember all the soldiers who are serving our country and all those who have before. Growing up with a military father has given me such an appreciation for our country and the sacrifices that are made to keep us safe and free. I am proud to be an American!!!

The Legend herself!

Justin just could'nt help himself when he finally saw Miley!

Happy Birthday Justin!

On June 12th we went to park city and stayed the night at a really nice resort. The 13th was Justin's 26th birthday. We woke up and he opened presents and then spent the day shopping at the outlets. We spent half the day at Banana Republic alone and he got some great stuff. Then we went to Salt Lake and had an amazing dinner at Rodizio Grill. I hope he had a great day, I know I sure did.

The Birthday Boy turns 26!

Dinner at Rodizio

Walk in the Canyon

One of our favorite things to do is take walks in the mountains. These are some pictures of us and dakota, the family dog, up smithfield canyon.

I love this picture of Dakota. She is so happy!

Jess and "Koda"

Justin and Dakota

Reunited and it feels so good.

Emma Anderson, Emily Willis and I were finally reunited after about a year apart. These girls have been my roommates ever since my freshman year at Utah State. Emily has been living in portland and ever since emma and I both got married the three of us have not been together. We spent the day at gateway having lunch and shopping. It was so great to see them! I miss those girls.

My visit to Virginia

I was able to go home to Virginia to visit my family in March. I did a LOT of shopping with my mom and sister, watched movies, played board games until the wee hours of the morning with Julie and Jake, went to the National War College where my dad was going to school, and went to Amish country with my parents and sister.

Julie and I rocking out at in Amish country in Pennsylvania.

Julie Jake and Myself, dressed in our Easter Sunday best.

My dad in one of the classrooms at War College

Road Trip

The Second Week of April, 2008 we took a road trip with our friends Danny and Jamie Hansen. We stayed our first night in St. George and then headed out in the morning to Las Vegas. We spent the day in Vegas seeing the sights. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory that night, it was our very first time there. The next day we spent part of the morning in vegas, and then headed out for California. That night we went to an Anaheim Angels game. We spent the whole next day at Knotts Berry Farm, that was an exhausting but super fun day. We spent the next morning in Cali, and of course we had to eat at in and out burger for lunch. We drove back to vegas, did some outlet shopping, and then drove through to St George to stay the night again. The next morning we did a little hiking in St. George and then began the trip back to Logan. It was a such a fun trip and we had a great time getting away with Danny and Jamie.

Justin Danny and Jamie and the Angels game

Me and Justin in front of an awesome coaster at Knotts Berry Farm

Welcome Home Casey

On Feb 29th, Justin's little brother Casey returned from his mission in Poland. It has been fun having him home and getting to know him better.

One Year Anniversay

On Feb. 17, 2008 We celebrated our One Year Anniversary. We returned to Jackson Hole, WY for another romantic getaway. We stayed for 3 days and 2 nights at the Wyoming Inn. We had a beautiful suit with a cozy fireplace. We had fun eating at nice restaurants, shopping, sleeping in and being amazed that our first year of marriage flew by so quickly.

Out to dinner at the Mangey Moose. So Good!

The lobby of our hotel

Sharing a kiss at the famous antler arches

Christmas 2007

I know this post is quite a bit late, but better late then never. Our highlights of Christmas were a new digital camera, guitar hero, Nintendo Wii, a beautiful picture of the Logan temple, and TONS of other great gifts!

Our picture of the Logan temple from Justins parents

"Wii wish you a Merry Christmas"

A hard core game of Wii boxing. Justin always wins :(

Justin on christmas morning at our house. We cut down the tree ourselves(well Justin did, but I helped decorate.)

Justins Graduation

On December 15th, 2007 Justin graduated from Utah State University with a BS in Business Administration and minors in chemistry and portuguese. He graduated Cum Laude. Justin has worked hard to get to this point. It was a really fun day and we are all so proud!

Bad Blogger

I have decided that I am a bad blogger. As you can see from my other posts, I started this blog forever ago and have done nothing with it. I have made it my new goal to be a better blogger. As a result I am going to post some of our pictures from the past year so be ready!