Eight years

It's hard to believe eight years have already gone by! I couldn't ask for a better husband. I am so glad God brought us together and that I get to call you my Johnny. Thank you for your patience, understanding and your unconditional love. You are a wonderful dad to our little guy. Your faith in God is unwavering and inspiring.

We have been on some wonderful adventures together. This next year or so will be one of our biggest adventures yet, adopting our second child! I look forward to many more adventures with you!

Pensacola, Fl 2005

Blue John Canyon, Utah 2006

West Bench Trail, Grand Mesa Colorado 2007

Triple Bypass 2007

Our little guy 2009

Moab trip 2011

Turning 30

This past Friday I turned 30! I haven't had many thoughts on this. It seemed a little scary, like now I have to be a real adult. At the same time it just felt like another Birthday. Of course everyone who told me 30 feels no different than 29 is right. I don't feel any different!

This Birthday has been one of the most memorable though. We had a big snow storm on Thursday night and into Friday. My parents were supposed to be driving out from Grand Junction. Because of the storm we didn't know if they would be able to make it. Friday morning they decided to brave the conditions and try to get as far as they could. They made it! However, our plans for going to Denver were out due to the roads being bad.

The snow was actually quite appropriate. 30 years ago there was a blizzard in Colorado Springs. My parents were on the roads that day as well. They were headed to hospital to have me! It's kind fun that on my 30th it was another cold snowy day.

Friday we ate pizza from Cooper Smith's and played games. Saturday we went sledding. Aaron had a blast. He only wanted to ride on the sled by himself, not with anyone. Later my mom and I went to old town to "window" shop. The plan for the evening was for all of us to go out for sushi.

We had parked the cars and were headed in the direction of Suehiro (the sushi resturant). As we we were passing Pueblo Viejo John pointed at it and said "this is where we're going". I sort of just laughed. I thought he might be teasing me. Then he walked in and gave his name. At that point I figured there was probably some sort of surprise waiting for me.

We walked upstairs and I tried to hide behind my brother! I was guessing there would be lots of people and possibly singing. Sure enough! There were about 30 of my family and friends singing Happy Birthday! I was actually quite surprised. John did a really good job of keeping everything from me. I really thought we were headed to the Sushi place!

I feel so special and loved! I can't believe how many people showed up, some of them from out of town. John had everyone write a card/letter for me. I was amazed at the lovely and beautiful things everyone wrote. I feel so incredibly blessed to have such wonderful friends and family.

Thank you so so much to everyone who came! I truly love and appreciate all of you. The biggest thanks goes to my sweet husband! He really made this a memorable and special Birthday. I am so glad I married such a great man. I look forward to many more fun celebrations with him.

Kearney, Ne

Aaron and I took a little trip to Kearney, Nebraska this past week. Actually is was a very long trip! Six hours in a car with a two-year-old by myself is a long day. It was worth it though. We were very happy to see Daddy when we got there!

John has been working in Kearney quite a bit this summer. He has been doing some survey work for the Plate River Project. He was there for a couple weeks in July. Then they went back out for a few weeks this month as well. It's been a little rough having him gone so much. Aaron and I missed him so we decided to go out for a visit!

The team works long days while they are in the field. So Aaron and I had to plan some things to do during the day. A two-year-old doesn't stay happy for very long in a tiny, boring hotel room!

The first day we took a trip to Target for some groceries and a new toy. Later we went to the splash park and played in the water. We walked around the botanical gardens and watched the swans. After that we drove out to the job site to meet up with John. Aaron enjoyed the dirt and river. I got to go for a ride on the air boat!

The next day Aaron and I checked out the firefighter's museum. It was pretty nice. The old fire engines were pretty awesome. There was a little wooden engine for kids to play in. Aaron enjoyed that. It even had an old hand crank siren. That was a big hit. After lunch and nap we went to see the Great Plate River Road Archway.

It's kind of a funny place. They have life size displays and re-enactments. It pays tribute to the pioneers that passed through during the mid 1800s. Aaron was a bit scared at first because of all the noises (owls hooting, wolves howling, trains and thunder)!

We also walked on the little nature trail outside. We saw a garden which included crops grown by the Pawnee. There was also a Pawnee earth lodge that Aaron enjoyed checking out. It was nice and cool inside the lodge!

Kearney is certainly not the most exciting place we have ever been! It was so nice to see John though. Aaron and I have missed him. Thankfully John made it home today. He is done with the project so he is home for good! Yay!