He Makes Me Happy

So, I guess it's time I introduce you to my sweet boy. Joe and I met a year ago at a church activity through his old highschool friend Tyler. I had had a spanish class with Tyler at BYU.
Joe and I quickly became good friends. We got along great and always had a fun time. His sense of humor always made me laugh.

We've been casually dating since last October. Mostly we were just best friends. But things have gotten more serious these past months.

He makes me so happy. I am so grateful to be dating my best friend.

(Ok, that is a water bottle in his sweatshirt pocket. If it weren't for that, this pic would be perfect.)

Joseph, you are such a blessing in my life.

Gradumicated!

Adam and Kyle are OFFICIALLY DONE with highschool! I am so proud of them. Kyle will be heading to BYU Hawaii and Adam will attend BYU Idaho in the fall. Congratuations boys!

Another year...

...OLDER!!

I'm getting to the point in my life when I am starting to dread birthdays. I feel like I've physically aged as much as I want to. Can't I just be 25 forever?

But, when the idea of future aging lowers your spirits, how can you not smile when your sweet boyfriend sends you these at work?

And then, how can you not love growing up when he picks you up as soon as he leaves his office only to take you to Bentley's for an amazing dinner?

And how can you not love birthdays when he then takes you to see UP in 3D to prove that growing older only means that you can enjoy sophistication and imagination.

And how can you not love birthdays when your friends make you THIS cake and throw a party just for you? It makes you realize that every year has brought you more people to love. And you feel that love when your girl friends take you out to breakfast for the best french toast ever at Busicks Court Cafe. (Thanks Jackie and Katie!)

And then, you can't help but smile when your family gets you your favorite kind of ICE CREAM CAKE (Mint & Chip of course) and sings Happy Birthday to you like only they can ;)


And then, you forget the down sides of getting older and just give thanks for the past 26 years that have brought you so much joy and love from family and friends.

Because they are the best birthday gifts of all.

My Dad is 5-0!!

My Dad turned 50 May 23rd and we had a party for him with family and friends the day after Allie's wedding.I put togeher this little slideshow of his life. You can really tell where Adam & Kyle get their looks! I'm posting it here for friends and family. There are some funny pictures of us kids too.

I love you Daddy! You have always been my hero! Happy Birthday!

Wedding Bells!

This last Saturday was definitely one of the happiest days of our family's life. Allison Margaret Harris married Christoper McKeen in the Portland Oregon LDS Temple. It was such a beautiful ceremony (yes tears of joy were shed). The bride was beautiful, the spirit strong, and love abounding. It was wonderful to have many family members in from out-of-town. We all love Chris dearly and are so grateful to have him as a son/brother/grandson/nephew-in-law!

The reception was a blast. Allie took most of the planning/prep upon herself and created a magical night for everyone. Her personal flair certainly showed and we all loved it!

I love my baby sister so much. She is one of my dearest friends and she has made me so proud. She is so accomplished, smart, and talented. I am so grateful for her righteousness, love, and the support she gives me. I am SO excited to welcome Chris into our family. I love him already and I love how happy he makes my sister. I wish them both nothing but the best!

Prison Rhythm

If you ever get caught in a Filipino prison, I hope you have some rhythm.

Thriller


Jump



Soulja Boy & Can't Touch This

Afghanistan: The Beauty That Snuck Up On Me (CNN)

Click the link below to see a really cool slideshow of the infamous country.


http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/12/afghanistan.baxter.slideshow/index.html

A Lot...

...has been happening lately! It's been hard for me to keep up. I guess I'll start with the beach trip since that happened the longest ago, and I am OCD and like to keep things in chronological order.

For Amanda's birthday (which was conference weekend...yes that long ago!), a bunch of us girls celebrated by going to the beach! We rented a splendid hotel room and had a wonderful time away from work, family, and responsibility. We got there pretty late Friday night and practically crashed as soon as we got there. Well, I crashed. I'm pretty sure the other girls stayed up giggling the whole night. I awoke and had a LOVELY run on the beach. Running on sand is a bit challenging, but the views and the sound of the waves makes it all worth it. Later that day, between conference sessions, we perused the local town. Cannon Beach is a BEAUTIFUL beach town and I loved just walking around it. We ate a wonderful lunch, saw glass blowers, visited the best candy shop EVER, ate the best caramel apple I have ever had, bought shells, window shopped, and laughed the whole time. It was fabulous. We then headed to Indian Beach I'm sure you've seen it before, either in the movies GOONIES or TWILIGHT. It is SO beautiful. We got there right in time to watch the sunset. It was simply breathe taking. We finished the day with an AWESOME dinner and a restaurant fit for a lumberjack. All in all, it was an amazing trip. I love the Oregon coast. I can't get enough of it.

Dark Blue

Something you may or may not know about me is that I am a song of the week kind of girl. At work all day I usually listen to Pandora and through that wonderful portal to musicland, I usual find at least one new song a week that I fall in love with. When I find a song that movies me, makes me want to dance, or speaks to me in some way, I usually want to listen to it over and over for about a week. Hence, I am a song of the week kind of girl. So, anyway, here's this week's song--Dark Blue by Jack's Mannequin. I can't help but dance when this comes on! Does it make you want to dance too?

Masochist

Last night I had the most delicious ice cream bar--vanilla ice cream, and dipped in smooth chocolate and covered with yummy almond chunks.

And then...

I tried on swimsuits.

Talk about self inflicted torture.