On the road again

We're packing up our family and are heading off to good 'ol Vancouver, Washington for an undetermined amount of time. My sister's getting married in Ashland, OR on Feb. 28th (the main purpose of the adventure). We're also driving up to Seattle area to see Erika L. and Kaitlin, going to the Carter's outlet in Troutdale, meeting up with Jessie and Syd (after a long hiatus), and most importantly, eating at Burgerville.
Bring it on Highway 84.

Thank you Rexburg plasma center

Taken just a few days after our 1st date. February 2006

After our 184th date (assuming we go on a date once a week.. which we do) . February 2010

If it weren't for you, Rexburg Plasma Center, Dustin and wouldn't be together today.

It was an annoying, depressing, and cold, Valentines Day morning in 2006 when I decided to go sell some plasma before work and school. I sat down in my donating chair at 7:20AM or so, when the plasma center randomly decided to do a "Valentines Day Raffle." They put all the chair numbers in a hat to win a grand prize of dinner for 2 at Bajio and 2 movie tickets. Lucky me, they pulled out chair #38 (I still remember).

I must have seemed to be a bit of a crazy person because I coudn't find anyone to take me on a date that I was basically paying for.... at BYU-I (lame). Before resorting to taking a roommate with me that night, I called my sister who set me up with one of her co-workers' sons. Dustin picked me up at 6:30PM later that day, and the rest is history.

Happy 4 year (from our first date) Anniversary, Dear! To celebrate 4 V-Day's together, we wrote eachother poems. Please don't zoom-in to read them, they're pretty wierd and most of the time don't make sense.

"Jack-ie Boy!"

4 months goes by too fast, my friends.

Dustin's family hates squirrels. I don't know why, I've always thought they were so cute!

"Surprize, surprize, surprize, duh-duh-duh Happy Birthday!"

It's true, on Sunday (JAN 31) it was my 23rd Birthday. I had a great Birthday weekend. On Saturday night Dustin took me to TGIFridays to get some amazing ribs curtosy of their new Jack Daniels Grill. World's best ribs, my friends.
He also took me to a comedy stand-up with some hilarious LDS comedians. There were 3. One of the guys just did a stand up at The Laugh Factory with Tim Allen a few weeks prior, and one of the other guys was the guy who wrote "Singles Ward" and "Mormons and the Mafia." All 3 of them were so funny. After that Dustin took me to go get a Maple Butter Blondie from Applebees (amazing), and then we went on a long drive. We were gone for 6 1/2 hours. It was the best gift ever.

Tonight (Monday) Dustin threw me a shin-dig to celebrate with our families and friends. It was chaotic and so entertaining. We ate sandwiches, played BINGO, ate cake and ice cream (with some wonderful trick candles, thank you Dustin), and opened presents. It was fun to visit with everyone and so great for everyone to come. I have a great family (on both sides) and amazing friends.

Here are the pictures from the party:

And thanks again Tacie for my GLEEK shirt! I'm wearing it right now.

The Sledding Mis-hap.

It was a nice snowy day here in Ucon, Idaho when our family decided to go to the Ucon "pit" and go sledding. Lillie went down a couple of times, but wasn't so sure.

Dustin decided to give it a whirl.

:)

So after that I was debating on going down myself, but the 7 year old kid next to me was talking smack, so based solely on peer pressure.... I went. I screamed louder than any other 13 year old, Curve smelling, push-up bra wearing middle-school girl there, thank you very much.

Overall it was a fun 35 minute outing. We had some good laughs, and some good cries (just Lillie, Dustin wanted to clarify). Can't wait until it snows again! I might be going by myself next time.

We ran out of Mt. Dew.

For New Years we went over to Amber and Che's with Tyson and Alli and had a fun time. It was weird, we were over there for 5 1/2 hours but it felt like 2 hours. It went by so fast! We (as the title suggests) ran out of Mt. Dew, but feasted on pizza, chocolate fondue, and chips, and all other kinds of junk food.

We watched a few episodes of "Friends."

Happy New Year! 2010!

"Is there sugar in syrup? Then yes!"

Lots of fun treats at Christmas! The above picture is of Cooper, Kate, and Lillie "helping" me make jam thumbprints. The picture below is of my sister and her girls (and Lillie) decorating some gingerbread men.

Alyse turns 2 this month, but Dana had her party a few weeks early while family was in town. It was Monkey theme, and Alyse loved it, I think!

Below: Gramps (Dustin's dad) made this beautiful quilt for Jack! He makes a quilt for all of the grandchildren. I'm sure Jack will love it for years to come.

And last but not least... our snowman. It took forever to make, but it was well worth it. My memories of making snowmen growing up were always happy ones, I guess my dad was doing all the work or something because building a snowman is so hard!