Bye Bye #12

The day after graduation we packed up and headed west. So the last few weeks at our apartment were crazy and full of clutter.  (Really though, ask our friends that came over and didn't have a place to sit because we sold out couch a few weeks too early.) 

I took the task of packing up most of our stuff while Matt studied for and took his finals and finished up his last days at his job in Orem. 

We loved our first little apartment together. (And I definitely mean little.) 

 Moving meant saying goodbye to many people, some of the more important ones being both of my brothers, my sister in law, cute nieces and favorite cousins. It was quite the tearful goodbye. We were so fortunate to have lived so close to them for the last 8 months of us being in Utah. We miss them everyday! Especially our nieces cute smiles and laughs. 

A HUGE thank you to Matt's parents who drove our Uhaul for us while we drove one of our cars back to CA. Yet I think Matt and I both would have gladly traded since two of the worst things happened to us on the drive. 

#1 - Bumper to bumper traffic in the gorge 

If you have ever made the drive from UT to CA you know this is crazy. 

Don't worry this lasted a solid hour.....

#2 - Popped a tire ... 2 miles out of Vegas 

We definitely said many prayers of thanks for AAA and for a Costco close enough by to get us a new set of tires at that time of day on a Saturday

And this little stint of the drive just happened to be when I was driving. It was solid. Matt did say I handled the popping of the tire pretty well thank you very much!

Matt Graduates

Matt graduated!

 Bachelors and Masters can both be checked off the list for him. 

So proud of him!

Classic Cougar pictures 

Getting crazy with hood...

Relaxed grad dinner at his favorite pizza place.

(The real celebration happened once we got to California)

His sweet mom surprised him with a yummy cake

  

And a true Cougar Blue cake for that matter! 

Congrats babydoll! You're all done! 

I think we both miss school a little bit, I know I do! 

#LDSCONF

I love conference and I feel like it always comes at the perfect time (even though its the same time every year.) It is still mind boggling to me how I hear exactly what I need to hear each time and gain so much from it when none of the speakers are given a specific speaking assignment or topic. 

Conference is always that little bit of hope that seems to make everything better. My friend and I were talking about this when we were visiting teaching. We both agreed that even though a trial that we are going through is not changing our outlook, attitude or feelings can change by listening to conference, going to the temple, etc. and can make the trial easier. 

Conference always enforces the importance of marriage and family. As I was listening to a talk I was thinking how fortunate I am to have married such a great man. Matt is such a great example to me of endless amount of service and faith in the gospel. I am grateful for the fact that we can speak candidly with one another. I am grateful for the marriage we have and the relationship that we share. I am grateful for how hard he works towards his goals that in turn will benefit our family. I am grateful for how smart and wise he is. I am happy to say that we really are the best of friends and truly enjoy one another's company. I get teary eyed thinking of how great of a dad he will be one day. He treats me like a queen and gives me more than I deserve! 

Some of my favorite randoms from conference: 

1. We must not see men as they are, but as what they can become.

2. The Savior wants to forgive us. Its that simple. 

3. Marriages are based on cooperation, not negotiation. Marriage is also a gift of God. 

4. Technology is really over taking our daily lives. Matt and I have decided to set aside time to completely turn off all technology and enjoy each others company.

5. Where there is respect there is also transparency. 

While all the boys went to Priesthood session that girls went shopping. 

She is quite the fashionista already! 

Park City was a perfect weekend getaway! 

We enjoyed a lot of time with family and a lot of relaxing. Matt is totally her favorite and I think its really cute.

Best Birthday Ever

We enjoyed my birthday/conference weekend up in Park City with my brother and his family. 

It was absolutely perfect! 

I woke up to balloons, streamers and of course princess plates!  My cute niece kept running around saying it was the "best birthday ever" and she was totally right! And she was very excited to say the least. 

Birthday sign on the mirror. 

My mom always did this for all of us growing up, so my sweet sister in law kept that tradition. 

My helper to blow out my candles 

Easter

Easter is my favorite holiday. I love it. I like that it is in Springtime. I like eater egg dying and egg hunts and all of it! 

Matt and I dyed eggs this year together. It was for FHE one night. 

My best friend Kylie sent me a sweet surprise in the mail. I was checking the mail after work and saw this big red Easter egg. I thought who in the world sent me an Easter egg?! Of course it was Kylie! Best surprise ever! 

We had Easter dinner at my brothers house. 

Matt, Me, William and Kimball 

Almost fatal... elbow to the face. 

  

Matt, Blake, Kimball and Steven 

Couples pic! 

Family Pic (excuse my lazy eye) 

Annie found my best hidden egg, with the help of Uncle Matt of course 

Love my honey! 

  

The girls