"i cry the day we take the tree down... "

Growing up I remember listening to the song, "I cry the day we take the tree down, I want the season to last all year round..." This line seemed to be on repeat in my head yesterday as Sam and I put all the Christmas decorations away(all 2 tuber-wares). I wasn't really crying but reflecting back on this Christmas season and remembering all we had done and memories we'd created.

This was my second year being married during Christmas. I didn't think that we could have more fun than last year but I was wrong. We enjoyed going from party to party, spending time with family and friends, eating delicious foods, playing fun gams, and being away from school and work.

Sam and I are trying to start our own traditions that hopefully our future family will continue. One of these traditions is to get our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. We are forced to get a skinny tree because we don't have much space. This year we got our tree and got the extension cords out to discover a fuse had been broken. It was too late to run to the store so I decided to hang all of my ornaments from the ceiling above the fireplace instead. It looked so festive, it felt like I had moved into new house. Later we decorated our tree with fancy garlands and stars.
One of my favorite parts of this Christmas was picking out presents for everyone on my "nice list". This year I was feeling extra creative and decided to make festive pillows for our friends. I had the best time designing and decorating these pillows. I found myself really productive throughout the day to allow me extra time to decorate more and complete the project. This picture is a picture of my first batch of pillows. I ended up making about 15 and can't wait to continue making things with my mom's help. If you want one let me know, I'd love to make more!

We seem to have a bit of a holiday-hang over here at the Richard's house. We are enjoying having a break from our everyday lives and responsibilities. We hope that you are too!

Happy New Year from our house to yours.

the search is over...

Those of those who know me well know that I am a very organized person. I like to have a plan, and just in case that plan doesn't work have four more back up plans. Well, unfortunately when you are job hunting you have to be a little more flexible, and your plans don't always turn out the way intended.

Anticipating my graduation I decided to start looking for jobs in about October. I spent way too much time searching on line for any job that I was qualified for. It was exhausting, time consuming and most of all frustrating because I wanted to be an exercise specialist. There were plenty of exercise specialist jobs outside of Utah but none to be found in state. With the encouragement of my family(mom) and my motivational husband I kept searching and focused on trying to make myself a better candidate for when a job did turn up. I met with a career counselor who taught me how to more effectively search for job. She proof read my resume and basically encouraged to keep looking.

Well November 19th I found an exercise specialist job. This particular job was at the University of Utah working in the preventive cardiology unit. Ironically Cardiac Rehabilitation was my ultimate goal as a professional. When I chose Exercise and Sport Science I hesitated because I didn't want to be a personal trainer for the rest of my life, I wanted to influence others and promote healthy lifestyle. Cardiac Rehab is where this happens every day. An exercise specialist works with a patient the day after they were emitted to the hospital no matter why they are there. They help people be able to get back to normal life again. Well I had my first professional interview in my life(my second interview ever) about a week ago and I am looking forward to starting my career as a clinical exercise specialist because yesterday they called and asked me if I'd be interested in the job!. "heck yes I would!" I start January 4th and I can't wait to be living my dream. I have so much to learn about different heart procedures, medications, and complications but I think it's the best next step in my life. I am so excited to start specializing in cardiac rehab exercise!

Here's the link of where I'll be in case you are interested. http://healthcare.utah.edu/prevcard/

we survived!

Finals are over and we couldn't be happier! We have been on the go since and are so happy to be filling our life with family parties, friend parties, and everything in between. I couldn't think of anything better for Christmas then finishing school and knowing that I don't have to go back in January . It's official I have finished my undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sport Science and it feels great! I'm currently job hunting, studying to get a National certification, and contemplating getting a Masters in nutrition. Sam pounded out a tough semester studying until the very end. I was so proud of his determination and dedication to school throughout the entire semester.

Our dear fish, Fred didn't make it through finals. He stuck with us through it all and Thursday afternoon passed on from this life. We are actually truly sad that he is gone. Fred was a gift to us at our first wedding shower from Rich and Carrie Cook. Fred was the perfect pet. He was never too loud. He always did what he was told. He was always clean and willing to take a bath. And most of all he loved me and Sam for who we were, no matter what! He's been a great first pet and I'm hoping we can get another before Christmas so I don't have to look at this empty bowl.

We love you Fred, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

twenty-six hours to go

twenty-six hours until Sam is done with finals.

I think I am more excited than him

I can't wait to be able to hang-out with him without a time limit

go sam go!!!!

wow! time sure flies in between posts around here. i have been meaning to share this chocolate cake recipe since thanksgiving and apologize for the delay, as many have asked for it. sam and i were assigned to bring something chocolate to the roberson thanksgiving and we decided to bring a three layer chocolate cake. it was our first time making a layered cake and i was so relieved that it turned out great! here's a great recipe for a great chocolate cake. enjoy!

Ingredients for the cake and frosting

• 8 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 3 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Chocolate Truffle Filling, divided
• 10 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipping cream
• 1 to 2 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares, finely grated

Preparation

Stir together first 3 ingredients in a large heavy saucepan over low heat, and cook, stirring constantly, 8 to 10 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat, and let mixture cool slightly (about 10 minutes).

Whisk together eggs and vanilla in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in melted chocolate mixture until blended and smooth.

Combine flour and next 3 ingredients; whisk into chocolate mixture until blended and smooth.

Pour batter into 3 greased and floured 9-inch round cakepans.

Bake at 325° for 25 to 30 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool cake layers in pans on wire racks 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and let cool completely on wire racks.

Spread 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Chocolate Truffle Filling evenly on top of 1 cake layer. Top with 1 cake layer; spread 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons Chocolate Truffle Filling evenly on top, reserving remaining 1/2 cup Chocolate Truffle Filling. Top with remaining cake layer.

Microwave coarsely chopped semisweet chocolate squares and cream in a 2-quart microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring after 1 minute and then every 30 seconds until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. Let cool slightly (about 15 minutes).

Spread warm semisweet chocolate mixture over top and sides of cake. Chill cake 30 minutes or until chocolate glaze is firm. Pipe border using a rosette tip around bottom of cake with remaining 1/2 cup Chocolate Truffle Filling. Sprinkle finely grated semisweet chocolate evenly over top of cake.

Ingredients for the truffle filling, in between layers

• 4 (1-ounce) semisweet chocolate squares
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup whipping cream, divided
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Preparation

Microwave semisweet chocolate squares and 6 tablespoons butter in a large microwave-safe bowl at HIGH 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until melted and smooth, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir in 1/4 cup whipping cream. Stir in 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, adding remaining 1/4 cup whipping cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary, until mixture is smooth and creamy. Let mixture cool completely

Links

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1023659 truffle filling

http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1023658 cake

We started our Thanksgiving celebrations tonight with the Young Men's and Young Women's. The youth of our ward have the tradition of preparing a Thanksgiving meal for those in the ward who can't afford it, don't have family around or any other circumstance. We had 35 meals to make but 15 more for the leaders and youth. Let me be honest, us young women leaders were a little stressed about making this all work out. But I am happy to say that it was a great experience. We received help from a couple ward members with the potatoes and turkey, and the youth helped prepare everything else. Then we split into groups to deliver and visit with the members.

I am so grateful for this experience. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in my own little world that I forget there are many others close around me in need of a friend, food, love, care etc. It was such a great reminder to remember others and try to make their day better by a phone call, smile, high five, or a simple hello. I just wanted to pass this experience onto the rest of you a week before Thanksgiving. As life gets busy preparing for the holidays and parties etc. remember there is more to life than having the most presents, or best pie. Simple pleasures come from serving those around us.

Even though we are looking forward to the many Thanksgiving dinners on there way, this Thanksgiving dinner tasted the best because I know that it didn't only fill a stomach but warmed a heart.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fall Break in MOAB

I have officially purchased a bumper sticker, PARIS, TOYKO, LONDON AND MOAB. Now I have visited each of these places! We left for Moab last Saturday and returned on Tuesday night. I had never been to Moab and had a great time hiking and biking. We camped with some friends at a great camp site. I never thought I could enjoy camping but, this site had toilets, showers, hot tubs, and a pool. Some of my family probably wouldn't consider this camping.

We hiked to Delicate Arch, Devils Garden(including landscape arch, and Double O arches), and through Fiery Furnace. We also spent a morning on our bikes... which I have bruises and scrapes to prove. The ride was intense and there were parts that I hated it, but once I finished I felt like I had accomplished something. It was a great feeling and got me excited for next year.

Sometimes time away is just what the doctor ordered. This was our first time going somewhere that wasn't planned by our family and we want to do it more often. If you have any suggestions of where to go next let us know! Here are some pictures.

That's me biking down a hill. .. Don't worry I got sweet air.

Sam and Clint in the Double Arch
The group in front of Delicate Arch
Sam and I on top on the highest arch of Double Arch.

A weekend in WOODLAND

The beginning of October brought General Conference. Sam's family has a tradition of spending the weekend at the cabin in Woodland. What a great weekend we enjoyed. We had a great time, watching conference, enjoying girl time while the boys were at Priesthood, making crafts, playing games and eating some great food. I also got to hear the Preston's vision about the cabin. For those of you that don't know, the Richards have been working on this cabin since 1997(according to Sam). It is absolutely gorgeous and we are so grateful to have such a great retreat so close by.

We were in charge of bringing games. Such a blast to play games with a group.
Anna and Dave came from Provo, it was great to hang out with them. This is Dave while playing Catch Phrase.
This is my favorite spot to sit at the cabin, right in front of the cackling fire.

Thanks for a great weekend getaway!

SEPTEMBER

I think about posting a lot, but I never seem to get around to it. Many of you know that I love to make lists, I made a list today, titled it: Things to do before Fall Break is over. My list including a wide variety of things including, applying for graduation, carving pumpkins, updating my 72 hour kits, and of course posting on my blog.
Time has just been flying by. September came and went in a blink of an eye. Sam and I spent probably about one week in our own bed during the entire month. We enjoyed other people's houses, cars and other luxuries. I hope that one day we get to go on our own adventures rather than just watching kids, pets, houses etc. while others we know and love enjoy the world!
School is back in full gear. Sam has been working really hard keeping up in his classes. The boy sure loves his anatomy class. It's been a great refresher for me listening to him talk about what they are learning.
I am loving both my internships and looking forward to my so close graduation. Everyday I spend at the Huntsman Cancer Institute I come home inspired and so grateful for the healthy and functioning body that I have been blessed with. I also started biometric screenings at the University of Utah. I was so scared for my first finger pricking experience that I practiced on Sam and Kim. I got all my troubles out on them and haven't had a problem.
When we weren't busy chasing children and running from house to house we were: celebrating birthday's, Grandpa Richards, Erik, my mom, Cory, and cousin Linsey. We were at or watching Utah football games!, and enjoying the warm weather that September brought us hiking, running, and waterskiing/wake boarding for the last time of the year.

Hiking up to Donut Falls
Nona's, Cory's and Erik's birthday cake.....
Happy Birthday Grandpa Richards.

the whirlwind in which we live

This post is much past due, as some of you will know.  But I feel like I need to share about all the things Sam and I have been doing that has kept us away from the computer and the blog.  Most importantly summer semester has ended, we had almost 2 full weeks of summer vacation and with only three days left we are trying to make the most of each free moment.  As my teaching time came to an end I took on a job to continue teaching through the fall.  I doubled my hours and am teaching stretch and strengthen and indoor cycling three times a week and core training two times.  I am really excited to continue to teach, it's a great part time job and release for me.  Sam has been organizing his life and course loads all the way to dental school.  He has decided to take smaller class loads and continue working meaning we will hopefully be leaving for dental school in 2012!! holy moly that sounds so far away.  I know it will go fast and it also gives me the opprotunity to continue on with school- right now I'm considering dietician or pta school.  Any suggestions of what I should do with my life after graduating in december?  

Anyways back to what we have been doing, well it's definitely wedding season!  We are way excited for our friends and family that have tied the knot recently, congrats to all of you!

We have been decorating and home improving.  These trays cost 6$ at the DI.  Carole aren't you proud of me, I went to the DI all by myself and came out with these treasures!!  My mom is actually using one of those as a serving tray at a party tonight!!
We have been reorganizing moving the stuff in the cupboards to the shelves and stuff from the shelves to the cupboard.  The change was fun and made the room feel totally different.  here's the before and....
after! We also re-arranged furniture thanks to my sister Lyndsay's approval, it looks great! Everything in our house seems to be a bit more functional which is much needed when it's so small.  
In case you didn't pick up on the previous post we also celebrated our first anniversary.  Much thanks to a family friend who generously gave us a one night stay to the grand america.  (Our room was bigger than our house....)We ate dinner at the melting pot and really enjoyed the experience.  Most of all we enjoyed taking a day off from work and school to hang-out, relax and work on our tans(which are non-existant). 
We have been trying to enjoy the outdoors as much as possible our favorite adventures are boating(after hebgen I can wakeboard officially! and am working on getting small air....really really small), biking both road and mountain, and tennis.  We have also been playing ticket to ride europe and america which we stole from both of our parents house(confession) and we made our first trip to the Salt Lake Library yesterday and loved it!, I am sure I will be going there more often.  

THINGS WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO!

- Utah Football just 17 days!!!

- interning at the huntsman cancer institute

- eating at the market street counter

- finding out if baby peterson is a boy or girl

- getting my certification test out of the way, and hopefully passing

- Eric and Lindsay family coming

- Erin's birthday

- but mostly just football 

This is the first time that i have made a blog entry. As you can tell i'm having trouble with the font sizing and such. But, amanda is sleeping right now and i took her great idea and got some pics from over the last 12 months and put them together and thought it would be fun to share our crazy adventures. Its been an incredible year and I've loved every second, even when she put me in a pink apron to cook on that one night out of the whole year. jk. So enjoy.

WE went BOATING

After the Richard's got there boat out of storage, Sam started doing drive-by's just to see his precious boat.  After weeks of chilly weather and rain he set a date to take the boat out and wasn't going to let anything stop him.  Sure enough Saturday morning, 7 AM he hopped out of bed and got the boat ready.  By 8:15 we were heading up the canyon with some friends for the first day out on the lake.  We really lucked out, although the air temperature was cold, and the water temperature was cold the sun was out and stayed out for our entire adventure.  We had a great time with our friends and are really excited for many more adventures out on the boat this summer.  Thanks Richard's for letting us take it out for the first time!!

Sam out for his first ski of the season!

Clint showing up Sam

Brian sporting the double skies

Me crossing the wake(which looks a lot bigger when you are behind the boat). 

Notice my new life jacket!

Amber attacking the wake!

Our Date With KYL

Last week we had an amazing dinner at La Caille, the food of course, was delicious but the company was even better!  We had the opportunity to dine with Kyle Whittingham (U of U football coach for those who don't know)!!!.  Only true Utah fans were invited to dine and we had a great time marveling and reliving this past season.  The boys at the table also had a great time reliving every single catch, throw, and tackle from each and every game this past year (all I could remember was that we won, every single game!).  

Kyle Whittingham surprised us with how easy he was to talk to, he was so friendly and personable.  He took the time and effort to ask each individual something specific about their lives, making sure the conversation wasn't just Utah football.   

Some highlights from the night were... 

Learning the height and weight of each starter this upcoming season

Hearing stories of players having bets on certain things.   For example there was a bet between 2 players and the loser had to dress up as a cheerleader and perform an entire cheer in front of the team in the locker room.  Apparently this is on YouTube, if anyone can find it please pass it along

Did you know that at BYU everyone eats their cereal from the box because they are afraid they are going to lose their BOWLS.  :)

And the number one highlight was marveling together at the wonderful season we had.  

Thanks Mom and Dad for inviting us!

LYSOL the miracle worker

I love baths!.  When we got married I knew that it was going to be hard to live without my baths, but to my much excitement our apartment had a bath tub and I was so excited until I saw the bath tub. . . and that it looked like this.... 

I want all of you to know that I have scrubbed and scrubbed the tub but nothing seemed to work.  Whenever I would take a bath I would put a towel down inbetween me and the tub, I really wanted a way to get it clean.  But nothing seemed to work, not even KaBOOM.  The other day I was cleaning the tub with Lysol Bathroom, there was a coupon in the paper so I figured why not try it.  And it worked, the foam penetrated through all the gunk and now our tub looks like this. . . which is a HUGE improvement.  

Thank you LYSOL!!

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!

For the last few years I have had a 'quoteables' calendar.  I look forward to the first day of the month when I get to flip the calendar and read the new quote.  This months was perfect for all that was going on.   This was the perfect quote to really get Sam mentally ready for his big triathlon in St. George.   

After getting all marked up Sam was ready to act as if it were impossible to fail.  So we went back to the hotel and he put all his gear on, mentally pumping himself up.

So the morning of the race he was ready to go, and he knew he wouldn't fail.  He left the hotel and picked up Amy right on time, they got the transition area and set up all of their stuff and realized maybe coming a hour and half early wasn't such a great idea.  The race was postponed 40 minutes because of the strong winds, and when they realized the winds weren't going to calm down the swim was cancelled, and the triathlon became a run, bike, run.  And Sam did awesome, he finished the race in less than 2 hours, and was still smiling when it was all through.   

Way to go Sam!
 

MONOTONOUS LIVES

About 3 weeks ago I said to Sam, we need to do something crazy.  I feel like we do the same things over and over again.  I definitely love things that we do but it is so easy to get stuck in a routine.  Wake up, go to work, go to school, go to gym, make dinner, do dishes, do homework, go to bed.   The same thing over and over again.  So we decided to brainstorm what we could do.   Winter can be hard, doing things outside is typically more expensive and time consuming so we decided we wanted to take advantage of the warm weather and go to the park.  Well since then our lives have been nothing close to our routines.  We have had a great two weeks house sitting.  The first week we spent at my parents taking care of the high maintenance scooter, Sam and scooter really bonded this go around, something about those 3 AM feedings.  Then the week after we took on 4 crazy BYU fanatics, the Lindquists.   Whenever we watch a family I have a meltdown half way through, thinking to myself, "the money isn't worth it!, get me out of here!".  But much to our surprise there was no meltdown.  We had a great time with these kids, but were still in much need of a break Tuesday night, when the Richards took us to Wicked!.  We both loved the show, it's great to be able to listen to the soundtrack and Sam not complain, what a fun night, Thank you so much Richard parentals!!.  All the coming and goings definitely broke up our daily routine and I couldn't be happier to be back at home.  Although our routine is not waiting for us, finals are this upcoming week.   As soon as Sam is done with his final final we are heading for St. George to relax, get a tan, shop and for Sam's triathlon.  

Then we are back for a summer routine, something like a jog in the morning, pool in the afternoon, happy hour at sonic, and boating every other day..... free to dream right!

HAVE YOU EVER??

Have you ever tried to ride an exercise bike for a hour straight?  Was it easy for you? What about at 6:30 in the morning?  Did you have to shout out motivation cues and encourage others riding by you?  I just found out that for the Summer I will be a cycling teacher at the U.  My class is Tuesday and Thursday's at 6:30 in the morning.  Today I thought I'd go to the gym and ride to start preparing.  HOLY MOLY it's tough stuff.  It's going to be quite a challenge riding for that long, instructing, motivating all before the sun comes up.  

Needless to say I am really excited for this opportunity it's definitely something new and it'll be fun to conquer(hopefully).  But I can use all of your help!  I need awesome music.  Which we all know I don't have, so pass your favorite work out music, cleaning music, dancing music, happy day music along to me! Thanks, wish me luck. 

For the Love of Poop!

Since I spend much of my day with kids I often have a few funny stories to share with Sam at dinner. Lately they have had a common theme: poop.



A couple weeks ago Sam and I were watching the Sjoblom girls while Amy and Andrew went on a date. They asked us to make sure Emilie and Ella bathed, because the next day was Sunday. Sam offered to bathe Emilie. Once the tub was filled Emilie got in and from the other room I heard her say, "what's this Sam?" as she holds up a brown ball, resembling a very smooth rock

Sam said, "what is that?"

Emilie, "oh it's poop."

Sam, "it's poop!, okay set that here"

Seconds later Sam comes into the room where I am at (laughing, and so happy he had chosen Emilie) and asks me what to do. We emptied the water and refilled it, and disposed of the poop.



This past Monday I was watching Charlotte. Charlotte has a really hard time actually sleeping during her nap, but she still has to stay in bed for quiet time. The more behaved she is during this time determines how long she has to stay in her room. I could hear her playing and went in to remind her she's supposed to be in bed. As I open the door the room smelled horribly. Guilty Charlotte turns around and shows me her hands, "poop manda!" she was so excited. Charlotte had decided to open up a poopy diaper(left in her room by her mother) and color on the furniture with her poop. Let's just say Charlotte didn't get to come out of her quiet time early due to good behavior.



Emilie is potty training. And lately when I get to her house around 9 she is naked. Like most kids I think it's easier to understand the sensations. Having naked potty training kids makes me little uneasy but I decided to keep her naked to encourage potty time. She was in the next room over playing her leapster and runs towards me, "there's poop coming out of the bum!"

me, "okay let's go to the toilet"

she turns around to run towards the toilet and there was a big piece of poop stuck inbetween her bum checks. Lucky for me we made it to the toilet just in time for her to really push some poo out.



If anyone knows of any job openings let me know.

One Year Older and Wiser too!

Having a February birthday was great whenever I had a "significant other".  I was guaranteed at least two presents without really having to give in return.  In the ninth grade I was liked by Joey Rice.  He went to great efforts to make me feel special, by decorating my locker with hearts on the outside, inside there was candy, streamers, and two teddy bears kissing(we never kiss).  In eleventh grade Jimmy took me to dinner and showered me with tennis gear and for Valentines day we went ice skating and on a carriage ride. . . . hopefully you are beginning to see the benefits of dating someone during February.  Well this year it was different.  I felt bad for poor Sam having to deal with so many important and special occasions.  But we have had such a great few weeks.  My birthday was a day full of my favorite things and people!.  We spent lunch with my sisters, mom, and grandma at Citrus Grill(if you have never been there GO!).  Afterwards we spent the afternoon getting my nails done and shopping.  We went and saw "he's just not that into you", which I was very excited for, funny show for the record.  And for dinner we ate at Red Butte Cafe because I love their pasta salad and french onion soup.  Saturday we spent with the Richard's and had a delicious dinner and chocolate cheesecake if you ever want the recipe.  And Sunday we spent the evening at the Peterson's.  Monday morning I had a hard time getting out of bed because of my "birthday hang-over" or maybe because I'm 22 and starting to slow down.  

The Richards surprised me with my very own lifejacket!!.  Can't wait to use it in as soon as the lake's melt.  

Isabel was rather full after a delicious lunch at the Citrus Grill

Sam got me the boots that I have been coveting for months! this isn't the best picture of them but it's the best one that I have.  

We are making it!

Sam and I celebrated six months of being married this weekend!. Can you believe it, on Sunday February 1st, we have been married six months!.  Time sure has flown by, we still feel like we just got married last month.  We celebrated Friday night at Macaroni Grill, because after we were sealed in August we went to lunch at Macaroni Grill while everyone else prepared for the reception.  It was just enjoyable this time as it was last, we splurged and got drinks, something we haven't been doing lately, I got an Italian Soda and Sam got a peach lemonade.  Then later that night we talked about everything we remember feeling the last days before getting married.  Sam experienced pure excitement, while I was anxious, nervous and a little bit of a wreck!  Funny how different boys and girls are.  

Anyways we have learned a lot while being married, but we have mostly been enjoying being together so much and having someone to depend on and count on.  We find ourselves at home a lot on the weekends because it's rare to both be home during the week with nothing to do.  When we stay home on the weekend we play the Wii together trying to beat each others high scores.  Right now Sam has the high score in shooting and I have the high score in ping pong, and Sam will always be better than me in Mario Kart.  We also spend lots of time in the kitchen and I am sure learning a lot about cooking.   Some of our favorite meals are, crab cakes, roast beef sandwiches, caramelized pork chops, and pecan glazed salmon.  Sam has really branched out with my cooking and is such a great sport!.  Since we met we have adopted some of each others hobbies and interests.  Sam introduced me to snow shoeing and we really like getting out doors in the middle of winter and hiking around in our snow shoes.  He also got me hooked on boating, even though he is a skier I really like wake boarding, and we are both really excited for the warm weather.  We also love spending night outside on the tennis court.  

I thought I would post some wedding pictures, since most of you haven't seen them.  Enjoy! and thanks for all the love and support throughout our engagement and these past 6 months, we love you!