Utah: Our 7th Anniversary

 While we were in Utah Josh and I celebrated our 7th anniversary. Josh had two weeks of training in California, but he flew back to Utah for the weekend and we had a fun anniversary date of dinner and hiking. We drove up Little Cottonwood Canyon and had such a great time chatting about the future and all the upcoming changes with the new job, new baby, new home in New Jersey, etc. The hike we planned on doing was closed, so we did a big of hiking along some random trails and then decided to drive back down the canyon and hike to Bell Canyon reservoir. 

 I sure love this guy! These have been the best seven years of my life!

Great night with my favorite guy!

Five Years

July 21, 2007

I love you, Josh!

Three Years Ago Today

I'm a lucky girl.

Date Night

Tonight we went on such a fun date! It had been a while, so it was a great time. We didn't get a babysitter in time, so we took Brynlee along. We used our Chili's gift card and had a delicious meal! (I recommend the Carribbean Salad with grilled chicken. Delish.) Bryn was getting squirmy by the end of it, but she was actually better than I thought, thank goodness. Then we went to Barnes and Noble, our favorite. Bryn was in awe of all the colorful books. She was running from one shelf to the next, doing some pretty crazy babbling and letting out high-pitched screams of excitement. It was too much for her. And then, we finished it off with a little frozen yogurt. (As if we needed anything else in our stomachs!?)

I love going on dates.

I love good food and good reads.

I love my sweet daughter.

And I love love love my cute husband.

TWO YEARS!

Today is our two year ANNIVERSARY!!!!!

Jae took this picture of me right after my first date with Josh. I was giddy as can be. I knew right away what a catch Josh was (and is, of course). I'm even more smitten now! I am SO blessed to be married to Josh. These have been two wonderful years of marriage, and I'm sure we have even greater years ahead.

One Year!

Today is our first anniversary! This has been the best year for both of us. We are so so so happy to be married. I can't believe it's already been a year. To celebrate our anniversary I flew out to visit Josh this past weekend, which was wonderful. (I'll post about the trip once I get the pictures loaded on my computer). I got back to Provo this afternoon and found a sweet note on my kitchen table with a beautiful bouquet of roses from Josh. (Thanks to Joe for helping him out with that one!) I am so lucky to be Josh's wife! He is soo good to me. I couldn't have found a more perfect husband. I've never been happier... and yet I'm sure it will just keep getting better!

One day down, lots more to go!

Well, my handsome husband took off early yesterday morning for his summer internship in Newport Beach, CA. I'd be lying if I told you I wasn't crying -- keeping in mind I'll be a widow until the end of August, but I'm actually doing quite well now. Here are 10 things that are making me happy:

(1) Knowing that our little Acura is better than we thought. I was sure it was going to break down on the long, hot drive to CA. It had no problems, though!

(2) Multiple phone calls and texts from Josh. It reminds me of our engagement when we couldn't see each other every day.

(3) Gala apples.

(4) Clear skies with a slight breeze.

(5) Walking to school. I love being outside and moving and having some time to think. (We'll see if I still feel this way after being car-less for the rest of the summer!)

(6) The Visiting Teaching program.

(7) PB & J's with chunky peanut butter, my mom's homemade strawberry jam, and Macey's white bread. I know, I know, white bread is evil. I hadn't bought it in years, but I just bought a loaf and it's so yummy for PB & J's. It reminds me of being a little kid. (What brought on my sudden craving for white bread? Having about 5 big slices of Becky's yummy homemade white bread at the Hawkins BBQ on Monday. YUM)

(8) Listening to John Mayer.

(9) "Tight-rope-walking" along the street curbs on my way to class.

(10) Counting down the days until July 18th, when I'll be flying to California to visit Josh and to celebrate our anniversary. Definitely a happy thought!

Super Laura

I know this blog is mainly frequented by females and the occasional weird stranger. With that audience in mind, I proceed.

Okay, so I know you all know this, but my wife is the best. Sorry, she just is. She cooks the best meals (please see previous posts for examples), she is an artist (she's doing several still-lifes of me right now), and she put up with me. She's at her studio on campus painting right now. That's right, she has her own studio, but then again, why wouldn't she... I mean, have you seen her stuff? And no doubt she's being a little perfectionist and getting every little detail right, but that's just one of the many things I absolutely love about her. She woke up this morning and immediately put together an hour by hour schedule of her day. She didn't have it done last night -- I must be wearing off on her -- and it was item #1 this morning. Anyway, I just wanted to give a shout-out to my amazing wife. I love you Lar!!!
Love, Josh
PS: I don't even know what this photo is from, but she looks dang good!

Isn't Marriage the BEST!?!

Ok, marriage is just the best! Josh and I are having SO much fun! Of course, there have been adjustments and funny little things to figure out, but we've never been happier. There are so many perks to being married, but lately I've loved just having a best friend that I can goof around and laugh with! I've never had so many "inside jokes"! I guess that's what happens when you're with someone 24/7. What's your favorite thing (or a funny perk) about being married?
P.S. I just realized this picture of us is totally cheesy! Ha ha. I actually didn't put it up as a joke, but it's way too much - just smiling and gazing into each other's eyes! I could see it in an New Era article on courting or marriage or something...couldn't you!?

Receptions

In the past few weeks Josh and I have been to the wedding receptions of two of my very favorite people: Kristin Drennan, my wonderful freshman roommate and my secretary in the Relief Society presidency that year, and Jane Egan, my dear friend who went to London, Tonga, and New Zealand with me....and supported me through all of our wild adventures! Both of these girls looked so beautiful at their receptions and both married such great guys. I am SO happy for them. Marriage is awesome. I couldn't be happier than I've been since I've been married. P.S. Josh and I will be married for 6 months tomorrow January 21st. And in celebration of this half-year anniversary BYU has cancelled school for the day. (Some say it's in honor of Martin Luther King Day....but I'm not so sure).

My Cute Husband

This picture is nearly a year old, but I love it. Isn't Josh handsome!? Last December the Hawkins had pictures taken with the whole family, then each of Josh's siblings had several pictures with their spouses and children. Since Josh was single at the time, he just got tons of sweet solo shots taken.