-April: Went to St. George for my great-grandfather's birthday party. He's such a great man and it was so fun to be with my family, even just for a few days. We took my parents to Cafe Rio! My dad got the lamest thing on the menu (the pasta) and now he is so mad that we ever took him there. Any one who has eaten at this glorious eatery: if you run into my father PLEASE convince him that Cafe Rio is the best thing to happen to Utah. Ever.
May: I don't remember much from this month. I did go visit my family in Corona for just a few days. It was nice to spend some time with them. Also, the jewelry store I work for, Losee Jewelers, announced that they would be closing after 53 years of business. It's kind of sad, since they've been around for so long, but the owners are ready to retire and spend time with one another! There is a possibility that I may continue to work for whoever takes over, but we'll just have to see.
June: I had a great birthday! Steve was so sweet and put together our elusive wedding footage into a slide show. I cried all the way through it! Thanks to his older brother, Jeff, who was kind enough to film at our wedding. It was perfect!
I went, again, to Corona for Amanda's graduation. Crazy that I graduated four years ago. I'm also convinced that I am not getting older. Other people born after me are just getting younger.
Some time in here, Steve got a new job with a company called EcoSure. It was started by the same person who owned Moxie Pest Control, the company we worked for. Steve is pretty much doing the same thing for EcoSure as he was for Icon- bookkeeping and finance stuff that I don't understand. He likes it so far and we're glad that he is, once again, working with great people. That is always wonderful.

July: The highlight for us in July was the Barker Family Reunion in Big Bear, CA. My grandparents were kind enough to rent out a great cabin for the entire family for a few days so that we could all get together. Steve and I left the puppies with my friend, Arthur and we spent some time in some fresh mountain air! It was a lot of fun, and as always, great to spend time with my family. I need some pictures from this trip! Thanks again, Grandpa Bob and Grandma Daisy for another great reunion!
August: We celebrated our 3 year anniversary! I can't believe the time has gone by so fast. We spent the day at 7 Peaks water park, where we were rained out, (sad) but it was still a fun memory. Here's to the next three, and the three after that, and the three after that, and you get the idea... :)
We took another trip to Corona! This time, though, Steve and the puppies came! It was such a relaxing week. The puppies did well in a new place, and despite our best efforts, they are not pool lovers, but we had such a great time just RELAXING!
Steve also started his last semester of college at the end of August. He'll be graduating with a degree in accounting, and I, for one, am SO EXCITED to have a college graduate in our home, even if it's not me. :) Steve has worked so hard in school while we've been married and he makes me so proud. I know he is destined for great things.
Finally, Amanda moved up to Provo to go to BYU. My entire family stayed in our little duplex for a few days and it was crowded to say the least, but it was soooo fun! It's been great to have her up here.
September: Other than Steve studying like a mad man and trying to balance work, school, and a wife that always wants his attention, we took a trip to St. George for a Ventura Reunion. Steve grew up in Ventura and a few of his friends met in St. George to spend the weekend together. It was so fun to see everyone and relax for a few days. Steve's parents were kind enough to offer up their home there so we could all have a place to stay and party! :)
October: More business with school and work. We finally got some family pictures done, which was all I wanted for my birthday. My favorite is currently our picture on our blog, but my fav of just Steve and me is this one:
And Daphne (8.5 months, 6.5 lbs)
And Rupert (10.5 months, 4.5 lbs)
The last thing on this very long list is one of the most exciting things going on in our life right now. We put an offer on a home here in Provo and it was accepted! We close on Nov 12th. We are so excited to have a little nest egg, and despite my father's whining that this means we're going to be permanently planted in Provo, we have every intention of making some small upgrades to the house, then selling it and moving back to somewhere close to my family and warmer weather! We will be able to get the first time home buyer tax credit as well as getting an awesome 5.0% interest rate, so we feel like we have really been blessed to be able to take advantage of the current market. We're really sad to leave our little duplex, but we're kinda growing out of it, and the puppies keep telling us that they want a fenced backyard to play in, so what were we suppose to do? Anyway, here's a picture, we love it. :)
We hope that as the holiday season kicks off, we truly remember the things we are grateful for in our lives and also for the real reason we celebrate the season. We are so grateful, especially in the last couple of months, for the love that we have felt from our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ. We have come to have an even a better understanding of the love They both have for us and for our Father's plan for us. It is our prayer that you are all able to feel His love throughout the Christmas season and as always, throughout the year. Please have a safe season, and thanks for reading, if you actually got this far!! :)













