Love of My Life

As young girls we all have fantasies of the type of guy we are going to marry. In Young Women's (church youth group) we all remember the list we made of what we are looking for in a husband. I'm sure my list was really good with tons of spiritual qualities and personality traits. As a young 20 year old girl though, I apparently had a different list in my head.

My best friend roped me into a blind date in June of 2001 because another guy, who already had a blind date lined up, was trying to back out with the excuse that he couldn't drive up to South Jordan, Utah from Provo because of some sand that got in his eye from working construction. My best friend told me she would line me up with someone if I would drive up with this guy who of course was Zane. (I'm really not sure how driving up with him helped with the sand in his eye...still a mystery.) Zane showed up at my doorstep and during the 45 minute drive up I made some pretty harsh judgments (please don't judge me for my immaturity.) He told me he served a state side mission for our church (apparently I was only impressed if you went foreign), wanted to be a seminary teacher (didn't every return missionary want to be a seminary teacher until they realize how hard it is to actually become one?), went to UVSC, now UVU, (I apparently had the opinion that UVSC wasn't as good as BYU), and he was definitely going to go bald in the future. I immediately wrote Zane off as someone I wouldn't like to get to know further and anticipated the blind date.

Once we got to my friend's house, Zane went with his date and I went with mine. Unfortunately for my date, Zane was funnier and the life of the party. We were always laughing at the same things and I became intrigued. We said goodnight to our dates and then drove back to Provo together. On the drive home we talked non stop. (Zane is a fabulous listener and if you know me well, you know I love to talk.) When we got back to Provo, Zane suggested we finish our conversation over pie at Village Inn, the only restaurant open that late. Three hours later and a sore voice, he took me home.

The next day I learned that a very bad tropical storm had hit the city I'm from. The emails coming in from family were all about riding in boats to get around the neighborhood and service projects gutting out flooded houses. I didn't pay attention to much though because I was on cloud nine where the weather was wonderful happily anticipating my first real date with Zane that next weekend. Thank goodness I got over my shallow, immature side and realized Zane was everything I always hoped I would find in a husband.

Thanks for eight wonderful years sweetie and thanks for planning a much needed little get away last week to celebrate our anniversary!

Holiday Celebrations

The best part of our Christmas holiday was Zane having two weeks off of work! This meant our holiday was full of lots of family time including extended family, playing games, eating wonderful food, traditions such as playing chimes, and projects around the house. We all enjoyed the break from life and spending time together.

Christmas started for Dallin a couple of days before when a package arrived from Grandma and Grandpa Turner. Dallin didn't notice the presents so much as the excitement of a box with peanuts! I let him play with it for a day before I had to toss out the peanuts. I couldn't handle the constant mess anymore!

On Christmas Eve, we went to my parent's house for our usual Christmas Eve feast and Christmas program. This year we invited our friends the Sudeth's to join us. We always play chimes on Christmas Eve and my brother Jared out did himself this year by adding harmonies to all the music. Although it is hard to keep some traditions going as more grand kids come along, we have fun no matter what we are doing.

Dallin understood Christmas more this year. When he came out of his bedroom and saw his new car and presents under the tree, he grinned from ear to ear. Still the best part for him was hanging out with daddy all the time. He is constantly saying now mommy, daddy, mommy, daddy with a huge smile on his face like he can't believe daddy is home playing with him all day. It is great to be loved!

Dallin's Great-Grandma made all her great-grandchildren a blanket this year. (23 blankets... impressive!) This is Dallin's along with Lightning McQueen and Crush from Finding Nemo hidden under the blanket. (Cars and Finding Nemo are his favorites.)

Dallin playing with a toy he got from his grandma (sitting next to him.)

Showing off his new ride that Santa brought

Being mischievous while daddy watches football

Getting daddy's attention by tackling him which turns into a tickling fight

Tired out from another long day of playing with toys. (Notice the movie case. Dallin's newest fixation is to look at movie cases like its a book. Back in August when we made our road trip we were trying our hardest to get Dallin to watch a movie. Now we try our hardest to distract him from the TV.)

During Zane's time off, he built shelves for all the closets to make more storage space. When he starts working, he gets in a zone. It was after midnight a couple of nights before he agreed to quit and come to bed!

I was sick with a sinus infection over the break. This is me trying to rest. Dallin would have none of that and decided to tackle me with hugs every time I closed my eyes.

Besides projects in the house, we also cleaned up the leaves outside. Dallin was a huge help...well except when he was jumping in the leaves!

What a fantastic holiday and a wonderful break from the busyness of life!

Merry Christmas

I'm not sure what happens in the month of December. Instead of enjoying a relaxing season, life gets crazy. My goal next year is to get cards and shopping done earlier so that I can spend more time enjoying the important parts of Christmas. Luckily Zane is taking some vacation time for the next two weeks, and we are living up enjoying spending time as a family.

We had a great start to our Christmas season by seeing the lights at Temple Square before we left Utah. I haven't seen these in many, many years, so I enjoyed the music, lights, and spirit immensely.

Merry Christmas to one and all. I hope everyone enjoys spending time with friends and family while celebrating the birth of our Savior.

Silly and Sweet

My dad started calling Dallin the little terror in a joking way. What he means is he is a very active kid. He will never be one to sit quietly on the sidelines and just watch.

Dallin at his cousin Drew's soccer game finding something to do and trying to join in

Besides the running, jumping and silly side, he also has a very sweet side. How else would he get his grandpa to run him around on his shoulders over and over again? All Dallin has to do is smile, say more, and do his sign language. Hearts melt and he gets more.

When grandpa gets too tired, daddy is there to start again.

You really see the sweet side when he is around his cousins. There is the occasional fighting, but they are such good friends.

I think Dallin's favorite part of our vacation was waking up every morning in the pack-n-play and seeing his cousin Drew sleeping in the same room. Through the monitor we heard the cutest conversations between the two of them. Drew would start asking Dallin questions and Dallin would say his random words back. It could go on for awhile. One morning we heard Drew trying to lift Dallin out of the pack-n-play so they could go play. Too bad he isn't quite strong enough yet. The best moment was when we heard Drew say to Dallin, "Dallin, I love you. You are the best cousin." So sweet.

Luckily the kids are so sweet because every morning grandma and grandpa got their wake up call by little boys jumping on them. My parents slept on the sofa bed in the living room, so as the kids walked out of their room, the first thing they saw was grandma and grandpa. You can imagine the shouts for joy and smiles. I doubt my parents minded being woken up by these cute kids.

Sledding

After the snowfall Sunday night, we begged and borrowed snow gear from extended family in order to go sledding. Our clothing was actually pretty funny since we made sure the little kids had all the proper snow gear (thank you Nikki), but the adults just wore whatever was warmest from our suitcases. I'm sure the other people sledding thought we were really weird because we were so hyped up about sledding and the snow. There really wasn't tons of snow and by that afternoon, I'm sure this hill was melted.

Dallin enjoyed playing in the snow all week of our trip, but sledding wasn't his favorite. He was extremely tried this day and hated the snow that got in his face when the sled hit the bottom. He still was a good sport and made a few runs with each of us.

A tired boy

The big boys decided to go sledding their own way. We soon learned which of the borrowed sleds were better than others. My little brother Clayton is on the left, Zane on the right, and my dad wiping out in the middle.

Zane's turn to wipe it!

What a fun morning!

I just wanted to compare the snow in Utah to our first snowfall here. If you look closely, you can see the snow on the fence and the ground. Can you see it? You might have to squint, but its there!

"If all the snowflakes were candy bars and milkshakes, oh what a snow it would be. Standing outside with my mouth open wide. Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah , Ah." Dallin's singing the Ah's trying to catch some snow! Thanks Barney!

Snowball Fight

We arrived in Utah (our vacation over Thanksgiving for my brother's wedding) the Friday before Thanksgiving. By Sunday night, it snowed! We were all sitting around playing games and getting to know our soon to be new sister-in-law when my dad announces that it is snowing. Although almost all of us went to BYU (and of course Zane grew up in Utah), it had been awhile since we had seen snow like this. We jumped up and ran outside still in our church clothes and grabbing whatever shoes we could find (notice my attire) to see the snow. Like most families, it wasn't good enough to just watch the snow. Instead, a snow ball fight started...me against Matt, Zane, and Jared. Luckily Zane took pity on me and joined my side. If you have seen me throw, you know why I needed help!

Jared, Matt and Me

Matt discovered that he could be a lot more effective if he just poured snow over me using the snow shovel. (Zane is in the corner)

Yep, snow shovel was very effective. Too bad I couldn't get my hands on it! Can you tell who is losing!

Dallin came out in the middle of the snow fight (luckily with a coat.) He loved the snow and tried to help his parents. (My brother Clayton is in the right corner, Zane is in the back.)

A picture of all the fighters.

Taking a picture with Jared "getting me" one more time. (He's shoving snow in my face.) This is typical behavior of my older brother. He has always loved teasing me, making fun of me, and well just terrorizing me!

Drying by the fire place with wild hair