Jared and Laura

4th of July Weekend

2011-07-12T00:04:00.001-06:00

We're thoroughly enjoying summer...wish it wasn't flying by so quickly. Over the 4th of July weekend we ran the Centerville 5K, soaked up some sun at Seven Peaks, and enjoyed a fun evening with Jared's sister and family.

Spring Cleaning & Redecorating...

2011-04-14T13:11:00.001-06:00

At the beginning of this year, we decided to change some things around in our condo. My dad painted a couple rooms; we had new carpet installed; and then we redecorated.

It's taken us forever to get everything organized, but we're finally through, and I love it!

Here are some photos...

Bedroom: After

Bedroom: Before

Office: After

Office: Before

Guest Bedroom: After

Guest Bedroom: Before

Cheers to 5 Years!

2011-03-23T19:45:00.001-06:00

It's hard to believe we've already been married five years. Especially because I can still so vividly remember the day we first met. Jared was really sweet, I was shy and totally smitten.

Fast forward seven years, Jared's still really sweet. And I'm still smitten - despite all the bumps we've encountered along the way. Jared is my best friend, and life with him is exciting - to say the least.

I love remembering back on the things we've done together. And I love that we've shared so many firsts. Every year gets better!

I'm looking forward to our future, but I'm also loving this time in our life when it's still just the two of us.

Vegas

2011-03-23T00:00:00.006-06:00

We went to Vegas to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. It was such a relaxing trip. The weather was perfect, the shopping didn't disappoint, and the beds at the Hard Rock Hotel were a dream (someday I'm going to have white, down bedding).

It was so fun hanging out with my sister and her husband too (they were also celebrating their anniversary). Love was in the air! It was a great trip!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-17T20:25:00.003-06:00

Spent a fun day hanging out with my sister who's visiting from Arizona. We decided to do a little St. Patty's Day baking. I love sugar cookies and finally found a simple, tasty recipe.

Now I'm all cookie'd out though, we ate way too many ourselves. Jared's still enjoying them...that boy's got a sweet tooth!

Sledding at Gorgoza Park

2011-03-09T12:58:00.013-07:00

A few Saturdays ago we went to Gorgoza Park to go sledding. In spite of the fact that I hate being outside in the cold and usually don't like sledding all that much, I had so much fun! The whole conveyor belt setup with the tow to pull everyone up the hill, was pretty snazzy. Sledding is usually so much work! And the fact that it was basically a private party (the company that Jared works for had rented out the park for the morning) was an added bonus because there were no lines.

It was a really fun winter activity. I'll remember it for next year since there seem to be so few outdoor, winter activities that I really enjoy. I'm always anxiously awaiting spring and summer. I wouldn't be sad if we could just skip winter altogether.

.

Love me some crepes!

2011-03-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

The last time we were in Vegas, Jared and I had some crepes that were amazing (the photo below doesn't do them justice). Anyway, Jared still talks about them - which says a lot considering the fact that he believes his crepe recipe trumps all others. For the record though, his crepes really are amazing, and I just love the fact that he loves making them.

This morning he used his expertise to treat me to some of that deliciousness! Mmmhhmm! And this weekend we're taking a quick trip to Vegas to celebrate our anniversary. Eating crepes is definitely on the agenda.

Simple Pleasures

2011-02-24T17:41:00.015-07:00

The last few months have been crazy. Sometime I'll get around to really updating.

For now though, here's what I've been enjoying:

This sweet baby...

My niece, Madeline
(she looks so distraught here, but she was smiling two seconds before)

this sweet boy...

My nephew, Alexander

...and this boy especially.

Afternoons at the tea room.

Sister time.
Our cozy, newly-painted office...it's perfect for snuggling up with a good book.

And I love this book that Jared surprised me with on Valentine's Day. My dear friend, Thierry, had seen it before and suggested to Jared that he get it for me (thanks again, T!). It's really sweet and full of fun little surprises.

Western Caribbean Cruise, 2010

2010-12-07T21:54:00.035-07:00

For the past year, Jared and I anxiously anticipated going on this cruise. We went with three other couples (one of which was my brother and his wife), and couldn't have asked for better company! Due to the hurricane, we had to take a slight detour (skipped Jamaica and went to Cozumel), but still enjoyed amazing weather. We ate lots and soaked up some serious sunshine. For anyone who hasn't been on a cruise, I highly recommend it! It's a fairly cheap vacay. I wish we had another one planned...

Halloween Festivities

2010-11-01T21:44:00.002-06:00

We spent this Halloween cruisin' in the Western part of the Caribbean. Couldn't have asked for a more exciting Halloween!

Weekend in San Francisco

2010-10-21T21:47:00.027-06:00

In September, we spent a fun weekend in San Francisco celebrating my Mom's birthday. It was such a treat! For my Mom's birthday dinner, we went to a quaint little Thai restaurant; the food was delicious. Our five-year-old nephew, Alexander, took full advantage of eating at a restaurant in the vicinity of the ocean, and insisted he have crab.

During our little trip, we spent nearly an entire day perusing the shops in Chinatown, (I thought I'd be all Chinatown'd out after Singapore - not the case though) there were so many neat things. We also wandered down to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 where we ate yummy clam chowder and watched the sea lions. We did a little sightseeing and lots of walking, which was fine because we definitely ate to our heart’s content! I loved the trip, it was very fun!

Thailand

2010-10-21T20:30:00.001-06:00

I'm finally getting around to posting our pictures from Thailand (this was from our trip in August).

During our trip to Singapore we went to Patong Beach, which is in Phuket, Thailand (it’s only about a two-hour plane ride from Singapore). Although we both would have liked to venture out and see other areas in Thailand, we decided that since it was such a short visit, we'd just enjoy everything in Patong. And there was so much to enjoy! The beaches were beautiful, the food from the little shorefront restaurants was amazing, and the shopping did not disappoint. Definitely a little taste of paradise...someday I hope we'll make it back.

Singapore

2010-09-08T15:25:00.046-06:00

Jared and I recently returned from our trip to Singapore. It was amazing! Jared served his mission in Southeast Asia and for about six months of his mission he lived in Singapore. He's wanted to go back to visit for as long as I've known him, and we finally made it there this August. We spent about two weeks in Singapore and four days in Thailand (I'll post Thailand pictures later).

Singapore was beautiful. The trip was perfect. We were fortunate to be able to stay with friends from Jared's mission; they were incredibly generous and accommodating. We packed as many activities as we possibly could into each day. We went to several different museums and parks, attended the 2010 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Rehearsal (Singapore was hosting the summer games), visited some of the beautiful Hindu and Buddhist temples, toured the President's House (we happened to be there on their Independence Day), shopped in Chinatown and Little India, and ate delicious local cuisine. It was my first experience in Asia and I loved it!

We took a million pictures...it was all so interesting we couldn't resist.:)

Botanic Gardens

National Museum

President's House

Dinner at the Tan's house

Marina Bay Sands Skypark

Science Discovery Museum

Chinese Gardens and Live Turtle Museum

Sentosa Island

Little India

Night Safari

Little India and Raffles Hotel/Museum

Singapore Zoo

Korean BBQ

Jurong Bird Park

Seafood

Chinatown

Clark Quay and Boat Quay

Asian Civilization Museum

2010 Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

The LDS Church and Mission Office

Summer Happenings...

2010-07-08T15:40:00.011-06:00

Our adorable niece, Zoey, turned seven! We were lucky enough to get a personal invite to her exclusive birthday bash. The party was very fun!

We've been spending many of our afternoons relaxing by the pool - definitely one of the perks of living in this community.

Our good friend, Ee Chien, completed his mission in Singapore and is now attending school at BYU. We spent a fun evening celebrating his birthday in Provo.

Jared's work participated in a bike ride for the National MS Society. The ride was 100 miles total and other than one flat tire, there were no issues. Jared loved it!

Twilight Concert Series

2010-07-04T15:01:00.009-06:00

I'm so excited for these FREE summer concerts...

July 8 Modest Mouse / Avi Buffalo
July 15 Girl Talk / Memory Tapes
July 22 Beiruit / Twin Sister
July 29 The New Pornographers / The Dodos
August 5 Sharon Jones Jamie / The Dap Kings Lidell
August 12th Matisyahu / Karl Denson's Tiny Universe
August 19th Big Boi Chromeo
August 28th She & Him / Dum Dum Girls

Click here for all the info.

"Keen-what?"

2010-06-07T21:01:00.004-06:00

My mom introduced me to quinoa (pronounced keen-wah). Initially I was a little reluctant to try it; however, it's now become a staple in my diet. Recently at work, some of the other nurses and I were having a little discussion about quinoa. Everyone wanted to know if it’s really as great as it's been cracked up to be - in terms of its nutritional value, health benefits, etc., so we all did a little research. I now understand why it was considered “the gold of the Incas." Here are some interesting tidbits I learned about this little gem:

Although quinoa is grain-like, it’s not a grain but actually a seed that's related to the spinach family. It’s been a food staple in Peru, Bolivia, and Chile for the past 5,000 years, but was really only introduced to America in the 1980s.

Quinoa is a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids that the body uses as building blocks for muscles. One particular amino acid that it’s packed with is lysine (which is particularly important for allowing tissue growth and repair).

Quinoa is a really good source of iron, manganese, phosphorous, copper, riboflavin, and magnesium. And actually in comparison to other grains, quinoa is much higher in potassium, calcium, phosphorous, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Magnesium is a particularly important mineral that the body uses to relax blood vessels and prevent constriction, so there are actually cardiovascular health benefits associated with quinoa, including lower blood pressure and decreased atherosclerosis (plaque build-up). Studies are also being done with migraine sufferers (migraines are caused by vessel constriction with rebound dilation) because extra magnesium has been shown to help reduce migraines.

The copper and manganese found in quinoa act as antioxidants and guard against free radicals (free radicals damage cells throughout the body). Quinoa also has a lot of fiber, and its ingestion helps maintain the microflora, or good bacteria, in the intestines with its prebiotic effects. In other words, it’s a great food for our digestive systems.

We all agreed that for as simple as it is to use (it basically cooks like rice) it sure has a pretty complex nutritional makeup. For that reason I’ve been even more eager to use it. Jared and I have experimented with different ways to eat it. My sister's recipe, which includes quinoa mixed with a little feta and spinach, is probably our favorite right now. It's simple and tasty!

Anyway, if you’re looking for ways to incorporate a nutritionally-rich food into your diet, you might consider quinoa. It’s very satisfying!

Anticipating...

2010-06-02T22:27:00.008-06:00

We're both very excited about using these:

For our much-anticipated trip here:

I can't wait for August!!

Memorial Day

2010-06-02T19:39:00.009-06:00

On Memorial Day we packed a picnic lunch and headed up City Creek Canyon for a little hike. It was really beautiful, and such a relaxing way to spend part of the day. Later that evening we enjoyed a little barbeque with my family. It finally feels like summer's just around the corner!

San Diego, California

2010-06-01T15:39:00.036-06:00

My brother, Daniel, just graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law so we went to California to help him celebrate.:) His wife, Kristi, was the perfect hostess and planned lots of fun activities. We were a little bummed that the expected "California sunshine" wasn't there. It was mostly overcast -- and of course it had to be that way the one week we were there. In spite of the mediocre weather, we still had a wonderful time!

As usual, I took lots of pictures.:)

Jared's Birthday and the Hurricane Half Marathon

2010-04-25T18:46:00.019-06:00

A couple weeks ago Jared signed both of us up to run a half marathon down in Hurricane. The race happened to be on his birthday (April 24th) so we decided to spend most of the weekend down in southern Utah. We drove down Friday with some friends, and did a session at the St. George Temple - we loved that!

On Saturday we got up very early - around 5am - to run. Jared did really well and finished 11th in his division. I was happy with my time. I finished in better time than I anticipated. The race route was very scenic, and the sunrise was amazing! Overall, we both really enjoyed it. It was the first half marathon we've ever run - I don't think it will be our last.

Later that day we enjoyed some relaxing massages. We finished off the day with dessert with some of my family. Even though Jared is another year older,
he is still - most definitely - a kid at heart!

Had to include this picture of Jared as a little tyke - it's one of my favorites.

Vegas Vacay...

2010-04-01T12:05:00.018-06:00

Our four-year wedding anniversary was March 9th, but we decided to postpone celebrating it until we had a weekend to get away. We ended up going to Las Vegas last weekend. Vegas would not typically be my first choice for a get-a-way, but we stayed in a resort that wasn't on the strip - and it didn't have a casino, so it was actually very relaxing.

We relaxed by the pool in the afternoons, and then in the evenings we took the hotel's courtesy shuttle downtown for dinner and a little shopping. We also watched some of our favorite DVDs that Jared brought along for the trip...always a treat. It was a perfect, much-needed break for both of us. I can't believe it's already been four years...looking forward to many more!

Tying the Knot

2010-03-24T19:23:00.022-06:00

Eli and Sharlee tied the knot a couple weekends ago. It's hard to believe my little brother is so grown up. I still have such vivid memories of him as a rambunctious eleven-year-old. Their wedding was beautiful. Sharlee looked absolutely perfect. And both Eli and Sharlee seemed truly happy. Congrats you two!

Their wedding day was also special because it was the first time, in over ten years, that my entire immediate family was together. For various reasons (missions, college, etc.) all eleven children have not been together at once. My grandmother and aunt and uncle also came out to visit. It was wonderful seeing them. I loved hanging out with everyone - it was so great catching up! I wish we could get together more often...

Sharlee's Bridal Shower

2010-03-10T21:36:00.000-07:00

We threw a bridal shower for my brother's fiancée, Sharlee. It was a perfect little party to celebrate their upcoming wedding. We had a tea party that included a variety of tasty treats - compliments of my mom and sister. My sister also did an amazing job decorating the table for the occasion (just like Martha Stewart). It was very fun! I always love any excuse to get together with my mom, sisters, and soon-to-be sister-in-law.

Baby Madeline

2010-03-09T12:30:00.001-07:00

My sister Mary Leigh, had her baby! Madeline is such a sweet baby...I can't get enough of her.

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice....

2010-01-27T16:16:00.015-07:00

Baby Madeline is on her way so it's time to celebrate! We threw a little baby shower for my sister, Mary Leigh, who is expecting her first girl! We're all thrilled, including Alexander (Madeline's soon-to-be big brother). He initially was disappointed that he wouldn't have a baby brother, but has definitely warmed up to the idea of having a baby sister. As Mary Leigh opened her gifts he "oohed" and "awed" at all the adorable outfits and accessories. We held her shower at the Beehive Tea Room (I think we're there at least once a month, we love it though). It was such a fun afternoon party! I can't wait to meet Madeline!

Holiday Photos 2009

2010-01-27T00:35:00.004-07:00

The holidays were wonderful! Here are lots of photos with the fam...

Birthday Fun...

2010-01-25T16:15:00.004-07:00

I had a great birthday...can't believe I'm 26 though. Jared did so many sweet things for me. I was definitely spoiled. We ate breakfast at Carlucci's and then went to the Gateway where Jared surprised me with a little shopping spree. Afterwards, we went to Mini's and got cupcakes. And then to top off the day, we went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. I definitely exceeded my daily caloric intake needs...it was worth it though.

Jared made this jewelry holder for me out of old metal hangers...I love it!

Jared's Artistic Touch

2009-11-30T21:37:00.011-07:00

Since moving into our new place, Jared has been itching to add his "special touch" to everything in the condo. Initially he was hoping it would need some remodeling, but he's now decided he neither has the time, nor desire to change anything major. He's satisfied his "itch" by adding some very nice touches here and there.

He painted this wall using stencils...

...and this wall with Venetian plaster.

He found these chargers for the table...

This bowl for our counter...

And these frames for some pictures.

I love what he's done. He's quite pleased with himself. (And in case you're wondering, he isn't any less manly because of this.)

Early Thanksgiving in Arizona

2009-11-10T17:08:00.010-07:00

We went to Arizona for an early Thanksgiving with Jared's family. This is the second year we've celebrated Thanksgiving this way, and I loved it. It was such a treat! (Jared's parents very generously flew everyone out!)

It was great visiting with the family. I loved seeing all the nieces and nephews, especially since there were a few additions this year. The food was delicious; everyone contributed by making their “specialty.” And the weather certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the 90+ degrees! Also, since my sister and her husband live in Arizona, we were able to spend a little time with them. The weekend was wonderful!

Fall Days...

2009-10-30T21:34:00.003-06:00

I got to spend part of my day with my nephew, Alexander, at Heritage Park. They were having a little Halloween activity for all the kids - it was very fun! The weather was perfect.

Later that day Jared and I drove up to Park City to look at all the leaves changing colors. The drive was beautiful. I'm going to miss the fall.

a

Happy October

2009-10-14T16:27:00.007-06:00

I’m always a little bummed when summer ends. However, today Jared and I spent time outside enjoying the fall weather. Although I was wishing it was a tad bit warmer, the crisp, cool air was definitely refreshing.

Home Sweet Home

2009-09-26T18:40:00.027-06:00

This is our new place - we absolutely love it! Below are some photos...

Colorado

2009-07-30T09:24:00.016-06:00

Laura and I went on a little road trip to Colorado to visit some of my family - it was awesome hanging out with them! Max and I used our ridiculously, amazing skills to create some Lego masterpieces! Unfortunately, I didn't get pictures of our creations...dang it! Maybe next time...

A surprise for moi...

2009-07-29T18:17:00.005-06:00

This arrived in the mail for me! It was all Jared's doing; I'm so excited!! He said it was, "just because." I'm liking those 'just because' surprises!

Arizona (Tombstone, Sedona, Flagstaff )

2009-07-26T12:03:00.031-06:00

After moving into our condo, we decided we needed a little break from all the stress of moving, unpacking, cleaning, etc...so we took a little trip to Arizona. We visited with Jared's parents, and spent time with my sister and her fiancé. It was an awesome trip! We checked out some of the historic sites in Tombstone, perused the shops in Sedona, and hiked in Flagstaff. Below are the pictures, Jared took lots.

It's Official...

2009-06-11T16:30:00.000-06:00

No more renting for us! We closed on a condo last week...can't wait until we're actually settled in. We'll post pictures soon...

Time for Tea

2009-04-20T16:51:00.003-06:00

My cousin, Elley, came to visit us from New Hampshire for a few days. We thoroughly enjoyed her visit – wish it was longer though. Of course we had to make a stop at the quaint little Beehive Tea Room downtown (a must when visiting Salt Lake). Here's a photo of us enjoying afternoon tea.

Steal of the Week

2009-04-07T16:45:00.003-06:00

Last week I went to a DownEast store and bought this brand new, pink seersucker clutch for a mere $1. I was curious as to how much it originally cost so I browsed through some previous J. Crew catalogs online – the bag was $58. Now I just need some spring/summer outing so I have a reason to use it.

Three Years Down and Counting....

2009-03-10T19:38:00.010-06:00

Three years ago, on March 9, 2006, Jared and I were married. This year we celebrated our anniversary with a few activities. On Saturday we went to dinner at Sawadee and then to the symphony. On Monday we woke early to do some skiing at Snowbird, then spent a very relaxing night at the Anniversary Inn. And on Tuesday, Jared surprised me with a visit to one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie, where I picked out an apron and a lovely jewelry box. It was so nice spending time together, especially since lately (due to our work schedules) we see very little of each other. It's hard to believe it's already been three years...we've definitely enjoyed great moments together. Thank you sweetheart, I'm looking forward to what lies ahead!

Banff Mountain Film Festival 2008

2009-03-01T17:01:00.002-07:00

On Tuesday Laura and I went to Kingsbury Hall, on the University of Utah campus, to watch a few of the films from the 2008 Banff Mountain Film Festival. They were amazing!! We added a couple more destinations to our list of places-we-must-see......someday.

Check out this little video...it's sweet! (Just pause the playlist music)

Stimulus Package Explained...

2009-02-24T15:15:00.004-07:00

This is really funny, but sadly so true.

"Sometime this year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

"Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
"A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

"Q. Where will the government get this money?
"A. From taxpayers.

"Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
"A. No, they are borrowing it from China. Your children are expected to repay the Chinese.

"Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
"A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

"Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China?
"A. Shut up."

"Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely:

-If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China.
-If you spend it on gasoline it will go to Hugo Chavez, the Arabs & Al Queda
-If you purchase a computer it will go to Taiwan.
-If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, Chile, and Guatemala.
-If you buy a car it will go to Japan, Mexico, Canada, and Korea.
-If you purchase prescription drugs it will go to India
-If you purchase heroin it will go to the Taliban in Afghanistan
-If you give it to a charitable cause, it will go to Nigeria.
And none of it will help the American economy.

We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game…or spend it on prostitutes, beer (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US."

Back to Blogging...

2009-02-22T16:24:00.033-07:00

Thought it was about time to post something on this. The last few months have flown by. Even February, which typically seems to creep by, is nearly over. I'm glad the winter months are moving along quickly though, it means we're that much closer to summer...
Anyway, I decided to post some of the highlights from the last few months.

My brother's homecoming from his mission in Brazil

My sewing project (could not have done it without help from my friend, Kim)

Louisa's visit

Lights at Temple Square followed by hot chocolate at Cocoa Cafe...a must during the holidays

Christmas '08

Thanksgiving

2008-12-05T11:09:00.019-07:00

Jared and I flew down to Arizona the weekend before Thanksgiving to spend time with his family. The entire family was able to come, including his grandparents from South Carolina. It was great hanging out, some of the girls and I went to see the midnight showing of Twilight. We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal, the Saturday before Thanksgiving, that included his grandmother's famous banana pudding. It's seriously amazing. I ate to my heart's content.

My sister, Louisa, also lives in Arizona so we spent some time exploring Phoenix. We went to the Phoenix Art Museum, wandered through some shops downtown, and then checked out the ASU campus. I had to work the day of Thanksgiving (the joys of being a nurse) but we still went to my parents' afterwards for more delicious food. I love the holidays.

St. George

2008-11-03T20:47:00.013-07:00

We were thrilled to get an invitation from our friends to spend the weekend down in St. George with them. After we finished the Halloween festivities on Friday, we drove down to St. George where we spent a couple days thoroughly enjoying ourselves. We stayed in a condo that had a pool, hot tub, tennis court...it was quite the setup. We had such a great time hanging out; the weather was beautiful - it was just the perfect weekend getaway!

Ahoy Matey!

2008-11-03T20:13:00.005-07:00

We went to our church's Trunk or Treat as pirates. I couldn't think of anything more creative, and I didn't want to spend any money on costumes. We managed to find everything we needed from stuff we already had, with the exception of Jared's hat and eye patch, those set us back a dollar.

Let the Good Times Roll...

2008-10-06T14:10:00.025-06:00

Although we've both been busy with work (Jared with work and school), we've still managed to squeeze in some time for fun.

Evening Walk (Millcreek)

Redfest 2008 with Matisyahu

Beehive Tea Room

State Fair

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Visit

2008-08-30T17:44:00.005-06:00

Last Friday Jared and I went to the exhibition, Monet to Picasso, at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts which features original works from Picasso, Monet, van Gogh, Renoir, Dalí, and several other legendary artists. We loved it, it's well worth the $15 and U of U students get a discount. I highly recommend seeing it - it ends September 21st!
A couple of our favorites:

Summiting Mount Whitney

2008-08-20T15:50:00.005-06:00

Last week Jared and I went to California to climb Mt. Whitney. For a long time Mt. Whitney held the title of being the highest mountain in the United States. However, when Alaska joined the Union, Mt. McKinley became the highest peak. Mt. Whitney is about 14,496 feet above sea level and the round trip hike is about 22 miles - with an elevation gain of over 6,100 feet! Jared and I left early Wednesday and drove about eight hours until we arrived in Bishop, California. Bishop was a quaint little town so we decided to stay there for the night. I convinced Jared that the only way I was going to be successful in climbing was if I was well-rested the night before. And by 'well-rested’ I needed to sleep in a bed, located indoors, preferably with air conditioning. Jared gladly agreed to stay in a hotel - I think he wanted to all along. We perused the little shops, ate dinner, checked into the hotel, and then relaxed by the pool. The next morning we drove another hour to Lone Pine where we got our permit to climb. We hiked until we reached trail camp, about six miles, and then set up camp. Jared made my camping experience more than tolerable...I actually really enjoyed it. He insisted on setting up the tent, making dinner (he has a snazzy little stove), and filtering our water with his handy water filter contraption. I think he was just excited to use his camping toys. I sat back, snapped some pictures, and enjoyed the scenery. After a surprisingly restful night, we started hiking the infamous "99 switchbacks" in which you climb from 12,000 to 13,000 feet in 2 miles. We definitely noticed the thinner air, but kept a good pace. We arrived at the trail crest where we met five of our friends who had just hiked the 220-mile John Muir Trail. They all looked amazing considering they had just spent the last two weeks hiking over 20 miles a day! The seven of us then hiked until we reached the top of Mt. Whitney, sometime around noon. The view was amazing! The mountain ranges were breathtaking...definitely worth the hike! We took several pictures and then made our way down. The descent was much more painful, I was sure my knees were going to buckle at any moment. However, we all made it down safely. We spent that night in a hotel in Mammoth, California where we all got some much-needed R&R, and then drove home the next day. My body has FINALLY recovered, I have never been so sore in my entire life! I think I’m through hiking...at least for a little while.

Visit with Me-Maw

2008-08-13T00:57:00.006-06:00

This past weekend I went with my sister and my mom to Louisville, Kentucky to visit my great-grandmother, Me-Maw, who is 101 years old! The trip was short, but I thoroughly enjoyed the visit. I hate to admit it, but it was really the first time I'd ever sat down and visited with her. I can only remember one other trip out there as a child. In talking to her, I was shocked by her incredibly sharp mind. She'll vividly describe her memories while rattling off the exact names, dates, colors, tastes, smells - you name it. It's amazing to imagine what someone has experienced over the course of 100 years, and more incredible for them to have a clear memory of it all. Me-Maw grew up memorizing poetry for fun...that has to have been part of her secret. She really is an incredible woman and I am so glad I was able to see her. I've decided I need to rethink some of my leisurely activities, anyone know of some good poetry books...

Summer Fun...

2008-07-21T23:44:00.012-06:00

Last Friday we soaked up some sun at my sister, Mary Leigh's, house. I wish I was enjoying the sun on a beach, but lounging by the pool is the next best thing. Afterward we enjoyed a delicious lunch – compliments of Mary Leigh. We had bacon, vegetable, and feta cheese quiche, spinach salad with candied pecans, blueberry muffins, and strawberries with Nutella. It was such a treat!

I think he's overwhelmed by the size of the strawberries...

A Memorial for Boma

2008-07-13T22:14:00.011-06:00

About two weeks ago my family went to Martha’s Vineyard for a memorial service for my grandmother, Boma, who passed away in December. She and Pop, my grandfather, lived on Martha’s Vineyard for several years and we grew up spending time there during the summer. The memorial service was very sweet. The family planted a pink dogwood tree in memory of her, some of the other relatives performed musical numbers, and then we shared favorite memories of her over dinner. It was so nice to spend time with the family and a wonderful way to remember Boma.

Woohoo!!!

2008-07-10T13:32:00.002-06:00

I took my nursing boards about a week ago and I'm happy to report that I passed! Since I've already been working as a nurse (with a temporary license) not much will change. I'll continue working on the same floor, getting the same pay; however, I no longer have to spend every minute of my day worrying about the exam...it's such a relief!

Mt. Olympus and Back

2008-06-15T23:01:00.007-06:00

The hike to the summit of Mt. Olympus is not a simple feat. You gain over four thousand feet in elevation and your last tenth of a mile is steep and rocky where some scrambling is necessary. The hike itself is a very popular one. When you reach the top you’re rewarded with amazing views and a sense of accomplishment. For some of my friends and I, this hike was a preparatory hike to one we plan on doing at the end of the summer. Unfortunately, due to Laura’s new job, she will not be hiking the John Muir Trail with us; however, she will be there to help with the training on other hikes. The following photos are of the most recent hike up Mt. Olympus.

2008-05-26T23:43:00.004-06:00

What Is This Thing That Men Call Death
By President Gordon B. Hinckley

What is this thing that men call
death,
This quiet passing in the night?
'Tis not the end, but genesis
Of better worlds and greater light.

O God, touch Thou my aching
heart,
And calm my troubled, haunting
fears.
Let hope and faith, transcendent,
pure,
Give strength and peace beyond
my tears.

There is no death, but only change
With recompense for victory won;
The gift of Him who loved all men,
The Son of God, the Holy One.

Our niece, Sidney, passed away on Friday, May 23, 2008. Sidney is Jeff and Cassie's oldest child, (Jeff is Jared's older brother). In the years that I have known Sidney, I’ve always been impressed with her constant enthusiasm, and absolute appreciation for life. She’s an incredibly loving, bright, beautiful girl who always seemed to be grinning from ear-to-ear! She's touched our lives with her sweet presence and will be missed very much.

Ahem...

2008-05-05T16:31:00.010-06:00

This past month was quite eventful. I accepted an offer to work as a registered nurse on the Medical/Oncology floor at Intermountain Medical Center; I worked my last shift as a nurse's aide in Labor and Delivery; I took my last nursing final; and...(drum roll please) I graduated from nursing school!! I’ll start orienting to my new job tomorrow. I know it’s going to be nerve-wracking for the first little while, but I’m really looking forward to the idea of just working – rather than working and going to school.

Pictures from the pinning ceremony for nursing students....

Pictures from the graduation party...

Just a big kid...

2008-05-05T15:13:00.010-06:00

We watched our nieces, Zoey and Kaylee, for a few days while their parents soaked up some good ol' Hawaiian sunshine. We happened to be watching them on Jared's birthday. Rather than finding a sitter, so that we could go out on our own, Jared decided he'd rather spend some quality time with our nieces, and nephew, Alexander. We went to Hollywood Connections where Jared and the kids played a round of miniature golf and rode the carousel, and a few other rides. Then we headed over to Costa Vida for dinner, followed by dessert at ML and Justin’s. ML made Jared chocolate brownies that were delish! Jared loved his birthday – I think he spent it exactly the way he wanted.

Here comes the sun...

2008-04-12T13:42:00.007-06:00

It has finally started getting warmer - although now that I've said that I'm sure we'll get hit with another storm. To take advantage of the warmer weather, Jared and I took a quick hike up Ensign Peak. It could have been a little warmer, but there wasn't any snow (thank goodness), so I really have no complaints.

Jazz vs Timberwolves 4.2.08

2008-04-04T20:04:00.006-06:00

I received a call from a friend that changed my night. You see, it all began with a few married women, mine included, gathering together to discuss a book they supposedly read about a month or so ago. To some, this event is called a 'book club' and to others, particularly the husbands of those women, it is a chance to do something carefree with the guys. It’s a night without worry or stress, and at the end of the day, both you and your wife are satisfied with what transpired.

Cole Lansford, of the Lansford Clan, happened to call with an invitation I couldn’t pass up – 3rd row tickets to the Jazz game opposite the Jazz bench! This momentous event was on the same evening of this so-called 'book club' and guys’ night. Painfully, I agreed to go (by painfully, I mean I was ecstatic…practically jumping out of my seat). We were so close to the players, I could actually see the drops of sweat on their perspiring faces! Never before have I been in such amazing seats. The game was awesome, Laura had fun at her ‘book club’….the night was a complete success!

Easter Sunday

2008-03-23T21:12:00.004-06:00

HAPPY EASTER to everyone! It's been a while since I, Jared, have posted on this. Between work, school, gym, and keeping up with the NCAA tournaments (by the way my bet is on UNC), I haven't had much time for this...I'm definitely not keeping up with the Joneses.

Laura and I spent the better part of our Easter evening at her parents' house, where we enjoyed an Easter egg hunt and dinner - it was köstliche speisen, meaning dinner was delicious! Laura gave me a sweet tie and a pair of rockin' socks. I gave her an awesome movie, Enchanted, and a gift card to Forever 21.

Book Club

2008-02-24T17:06:00.002-07:00

This past Thursday our little book club got together to discuss Richard Llewellyn's book, How Green Was My Valley. The novel is set in Wales, during the reign of Queen Victoria, and is a story of a Welsh coal-mining family. I loved it! In addition to our little discussion of the book, we enjoyed some delicious Welsh food including leek soup, spice cake, and pie. It was lots of fun...thanks girls!

2008-02-16T16:35:00.002-07:00

For Valentine's Day, I surprised Laura by taking her out to dinner. Afterwards we came home, made banana splits, cuddled, and watched some chick flicks...it was sweet!

2008-02-13T22:07:00.010-07:00

What is your husband's name? Jared

How long have you been together? Married 2 years this March, dated 2 years…a grand total of 4 years!

Who said I Love You first? He did…ever so sweetly.

Who is taller? He is, but only by about 4 inches.

Who sings better? He does…I definitely got the short end of the stick in that department.

Who is smarter? Hmmm…we both have our strengths; I think we’re pretty even.

Who has more speeding tickets? He does…so far I have not received one…knock on wood!

Who does the laundry? I do most of the time. That’s because I’m more particular about how things ought to be separated, folded, etc.…Jared has slightly different standards.=)

Who does the dishes? We both do. However, this is an area where Jared’s OCD tendencies surface so he ends up doing them more often.

Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? I do most of the time.

Who pays the bills? He does. I’m responsible for savings because he’s a bigger spender – it keeps him in check.=)

Who mows the lawn? When we have a lawn, I’m sure it will be Jared.

Who cooks dinner? I do most of the time; Jared cooks breakfast…definitely his specialty.

Who drives when you are together? He does.

Who is more stubborn? I am more stubborn…hands down!

Who is the first to admit they are wrong? He is always the first to admit he’s wrong…I’ve just got some room for improvement.=)

Whose parents do you see the most? Mine, since they’re in Utah – his are in Arizona.

Who kissed whom first? Jared kissed Laura…and they lived happily ever after, the end!

Who proposed? He proposed to me, it was very sweet!

Who is more sensitive? For the most part, I am…I think.

Who has more friends? He does, and it’s the same group of friends he’s had since elementary school.

Who has more siblings? I do, by far – ten siblings compared to four!

Who wears the pants in the family? It’s pretty even…as Kristi said, ‘we both take a leg’…

I tag anyone reading this!

Quite the gentlemen...

2008-01-30T21:09:00.000-07:00

The other day I found this photo of Jared and his brother; I think it's so funny. Jared is on the left with a mischievous little grin on his face. The best part though, is the way in which his tie is tucked neatly into his pants. I know he’s very sad that he no longer has those stylish suspenders with the matching tie.

In Tribute

2008-01-27T22:34:00.001-07:00

President Gordon B. Hinckley passed away this evening. I'm amazed at what he accomplished in his lifetime. His counsel and inspiration have significantly influenced my life.

Some of my favorite quotes from him:

"Love is the only force that can erase the differences between people - that can bridge chasms of bitterness."

"The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life-altering decisions. Our direction is often by the small, day-to-day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives - making choices."

"Age is more a matter of how you feel, how you think, and what's going on in your head than what's going on in your feet."

"In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

"Shape up. I say that to myself constantly. Shape up. Stand a little taller. Be a little better, a little stronger, a little more thoughtful, a little humbler, a little more prayerful..."

It's just around the corner!

2008-01-18T16:31:00.000-07:00

I'm excited for Valentine's Day...I just need to think of something fun to do!

Thursdays...

2008-01-17T19:49:00.000-07:00

I have decided Thursdays are one of my most favorite days of the week – at least lately. That's due, in part, to the fact that I don't have school or work on most of them. I guess when my schedule changes, that may change. In the meantime, though, I look forward to them - they're one of the few days that I actually feel like I can be productive. I did all the laundry today, cleaned out some drawers, organized AND threw out some paperwork (I tend to be somewhat of a pack rat). I bagged up clothes that should have gone to good old Deseret Industries a long time ago (once again the pack rat tendencies showing up), studied, caught up on some reading, and depending on how quickly I finish this will head to the gym for a nice workout to finish off my day. Tomorrow though, will be an entirely different story productivity wise…there will be very little of it…sadly.

Well put.

2008-01-14T20:09:00.000-07:00

"So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads." -Dr. Seuss
Thought I'd make it easy on everyone this week.;)

Sounds good to me...

2008-01-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern.
A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock.
A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything.
No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?

A New Year and a new post - fancy that!

2008-01-04T22:08:00.000-07:00

Thought it was about time to update this, especially since a new year has already rolled around. We thoroughly enjoyed our break, but managed to neglect our blog completely…thank goodness for New Year's resolutions. The holidays were really enjoyable - particularly our break from school...why do all good things come to an end? Nevertheless, this will be my last semester of nursing school (hooray!). In the meantime, though, it’s back to books, routines, and all the other day-to-day comings and goings keeping us in check with reality.

Tagged...

2007-11-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

I guess I have been tagged by Scotty. However, I have been playing it off telling myself that it was the other Jared that got tagged. Even if it was the other Jared, I guess I can still go along with it.

#1-Five things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Living with my parents, eating all their food.
2. Driving my sweet ride up in mtns. a Subaru Brat, with the jump seats in back :)
3. Watching Waynes World regularly.
4. Rollerblading like crazy.
5. Working at Lagoon in the Summer.

#2 - Five things on my to-do list today:
1. Have a good hearty breakfast, it consisted of Trix cereal and O.J.
2. Blog.
3. Do whatever it is that Laura wants me to do. ;)
4. Enjoy my day off, actually it would be a night off, and get plenty of sleep.
5. Watch the office on TBS.

#3-Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Crepes, They're just like pancakes, maybe even better, It's just a French word for them, Put any syrups you want on them. But I like them with Nutella.
2. Costco's Churros
3. Fruit Leather
4. Caramel Apples
5. Laffy Taffy

#4-Five songs I know the lyrics to:
1. Bubble Toes, Jack Johnson
2. The Remedy, Jason Mraz
3. She Will Be Loved, Maroon 5
4. Every Rose Has Its Thorn, Poison
5. Eruption, Van Halen

#5-Five things I will never wear again:
1. T-shirts that are too big.
2. Socks with holes in them.
3. A bowl haircut.
4. Fishnet Stockings
5. more than 4 rings on one hand.

#6-Five of my favorite toys:
1. My Arsenal...
2. My Rino GPS.
3. My Nikon D70.
4. My Climbing Gear!
5. My Debit/Credit Card.

'Tis the Season

2007-11-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

Laura and I were able to put up our tree this past weekend. Yeah.

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, and not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.
The good you do for others is good you do for yourself.
Norman W. Brooks
“Let Every Day Be Christmas”

Turkey Bowl '07

2007-11-28T16:18:00.000-07:00

This year, like every other, the guys faced off in a Turkey Bowl game. The setting was almost too perfect with the sun coming over the Wasatch front and hardly a cloud in the sky. We all arose early - except I was coming from work, to battle in a tackle football game on a field we all knew too well.

However, with the score tied the game ended early with a tackle by Jaso, that stopped Kyky from reaching the endzone. It was this play that took both Jaso and Kyky out of the game. Jaso was already ill and took a hit to the ribs while Kyky nearly showed us what he had for breakfast. These injuries forced us to play a game that could be played with fewer numbers and perhaps a little less contact.

So instead of a game on the field we took it to the b-ball court with an old-fashioned game called Tip-in, a.k.a. 21.

Happy Thanksgiving

2007-11-21T21:37:00.000-07:00

Each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything thy goodness sends.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Turkey Shoot

2007-11-18T14:56:00.000-07:00

After a satisfying Lumberjack breakfast from Dee's, the guys and I spent the rest of the morning competing in a shotgun competition - famously known as the Turkey Shoot. It consists of shooting five clay pigeons, and the shooter who accurately hits the most pigeons is awarded a turkey. This has been a tradition amongst my friends for the past couple of years. Congrats to those who won!!

The Winning Trophy

Tranquility

2007-11-11T15:51:00.000-07:00

In my quest to find something worthwhile to 'blog' about I came across this photograph. The summer after Jared and I were married we went to Martha's Vineyard. I grew up going there every summer and was thrilled to be able to take him. For those of you who don't know, Martha's Vineyard is an island off of Boston, Massachusetts - needless to say it's beautiful. Jared was feeling ambitious one morning and with camera-in-hand set out to capture the island's splendor - this was one of my favorites.

2007-11-11T12:27:00.000-07:00

After much deliberation we decided to start blogging, but the idea is still very foreign to us - hence the reason we have no real posts...yet.