Six Years ago...

On this very day in 2004, a young man's fancy turned to love and asked the girl of his dreams for her hand in marriage. The rest, as they say, is history.

Still, many don't know the story of true love's first kiss. The young gentleman and young lady on a bright winter day in January went with each other to an artist's studio as part of their art studies. Little did she know that his plan was to take her to the place where they had first declared their feelings for one another after the studio visit. It was at the Lake of Utah that they had felt the stirrings of amore, and it was there that he planned to petition her hand in marriage.

The couple was supposed to meet the other students at a restaurant after the studio visit, but the young man convinced the young woman to take a detour to the lake for the purposes of taking photos of the snowy landscape. She suspected nothing out of the ordinary. When they got to their favorite spot and started hiking out to the shore, it became apparent that it would not be easy to reach their destination. The snow was deep and the going treacherous. They could not find the path that led out to the shore. The young woman, having taking some insulin for the anticipated food, was now feeling weak and in need of some sustenance. Luckily, the young man had a loaf of bread in the car given to him by the young lady's mother (he got it when he had asked the parents for their permission and blessing earlier that week).

They trudged back to the car to retrieve the loaf of goodness, with hope fading in the young man's heart of a truly romantical proposal. Not one to be discouraged easily in matters of the heart, the young man decided it was now or never, and stamped down the snow near the car, while the young woman ate delicately at the bread. He then asked her to join him, and when she was near his side, he knelt down in the snow and asked her to be his bride. Of course she was flattered, and though she had many suitors, replied in the affirmative to his request. Oh what joy filled their hearts!

They left and went immediately to pick out a ring that would most befit her delicate yet strong finger. Then, they went to ye Olde Spaghetti Factory at Trolley Square, and after dining went to the Church History Museum to take pictures of the prophet dioramas for their school projects.

They rest is history, though now you know...the rest of the story.

Photos circa 2004; Utah Lake, Utah

Christmas Time is Here

The awaited holiday of the year has crept up and out. It's hard to believe its gone already. Christmas was time well spent with family and friends. The "G's" got together in Ut before we all went our ways and it was wonderful to see my dear high school buds! Then we were off to Green River, WY to be with the Parkers. Christmas eve involved making gingerbread houses, wrapping presents, and reading Luke 2 for home evening. The girls had a hard time holding still as they knew they could open one present. Finally, they opened up their princess pajamas that mom sewed. It was so cute to hear Emily say "slippery pants." They loved them and danced all night in them. Christmas morning started early and Santa was good to us. The girls have been "really good" this whole year, they kept reminding me. They well earned their sleeping beauty doll and doll house furniture. It was so fun to see them so excited! We also went ice-skating with Aunt Janetta in Rock Springs. She is so good! Grandma and Grandpa Parker really showed us a good time and we can't thank them enough. Thank You!! We love you lots and lots!



We wouldn't have missed the chance to see the Pratt side in Utah. On new year's eve eve, snow came down in buckets so we hit the hills for some good sledding. Then we exchanged gifts at our house and ate lots of yummy food! It was so fun seeing and hanging out with everyone even if it was a little crazy too. Aunt Lisa sewed adorable dolls for all the girl cousins! They are so cute! Aunt Liz made Avy a tu-tu. I loved to watch her strut her stuff in it. She loved it. All the cousins seemed to be having a good time and we feel so blessed to have you near! But for the ones that aren't so near--we missed you tons! I love you all! Thanks for spoiling! You all do too much!

Thanksgiving Adventures

It's never to late to post a good tale, huh? Its been a while since we've updated, but the holidays have caught up with us. After an early Thanksgiving celebration in Utah, we headed to California for the Turkey feast with our great friends, the Bowles. And a great feast it was! We had such a good time cooking, laughing, staying up late, and even getting whooped playing Dr. Mario. The girls couldn't get enough of each other either. From the moment of arrival, they played and played. We are truly grateful to our hosts! They are beyond exceptional! It really was a dream vacation and we didn't want to leave, but of course it had to end. Well.......we thought it was at an end................but for some reason we soon found out that it was only the end of California, but not the end of our "vacation" if you dare call the rest of the story that.



Our transmission decided to go out in the Mojave Desert, about 90 miles south of Vegas. Anyone who has driven that stretch of I-15 knows that there is nothing out there. Well, luckily a tow truck was able to locate and haul all four of us to Vegas. Because it was Sunday, the auto shops were closed. The driver took us to The Plaza Station Hotel and our car to a local mechanic. In the morning, the mechanic told us that it would be done Wednesday so we decided to wait it out and try to enjoy the forced stay. The girls loved riding in the "big truck" and thought we were staying in "video game heaven" (aka the casinos). Thank goodness for their positive attitude because Mike and I were worried. Mike was missing work, we had no clean clothes, and we weren't sure what to do (well, besides jump on the hotel beds of course, that's a given).




Luckily our good friend Josie was able to meet us and enjoy some time together on the strip. We had fun at the M&M store and the MGM. We were lucky that the Lions were actually awake and walking around in their glass cage. The girls loved it! So, Wednesday came and the car wasn't done. Thursday came and the car still wasn't done. I was loosing my patience. To pass the time by we had visited the Las Vegas Temple, went to a Chocolate factory, and even went to a Mormon Fort museum. The mechanic offered to pay for our last night's hotel rate since it was their fault for being late. Finally on Friday, five days later, we were on the road again and the car was drivable. Not totally fixed, we discovered, as it tried to shift into overdrive. Should we turn back? I think not--no way--we were getting out of there even if we had to drive 55 miles/hour. I was never so grateful to see my own bed. It was divine to be home, even if we felt penniless.