Tuesday, August 7, 2012

5 years


On July 26th we celebrated 5 years of having this little boy in our lives.
He loves airplanes, space shuttles, and his brothers.
He's growing up too fast.
Did you know that he helped save my life?
I love him and I love being his aunt.
He had a happy birthday (where he wanted to throw confetti - just like his aunt at her wedding).

Love you Sammy.

Saturday, June 30, 2012

6 Months


6 months ago was the best day of our lives.

And for our lives.

Even if it was a blur.


It's wonderful being married.

Especially to Mr. Snow.

Time is flying, but the future is exciting.



Photo by Jonathan Canlas

Friday, June 22, 2012

Happy Birthday Dalen!


My sweet husband turned another year older and wiser too yesterday.
We had a fantastic day celebrating on Sunday with family
and celebrating even more yesterday.

Happy Birthday Dalen.
Love you.

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Happy Father's Day


I have the perfect dad.
Really, I do.
I love him so much.
He is a blessing to our family.

Happy Father's Day.




Photo by Jonathan Canlas

Friday, May 25, 2012

Peonies



We have several bushes in our yard.
They are beautiful.

Reminds me of my childhood.
Reminds me of my husband.
Reminds me of our wedding.

Needless to say, I love peonies.


iPhone pic

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Happy Mother's Day





I love my mom.  So much.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

Toes


These little toes belong to two sweet big brothers.  They are growing up too fast.
This last year brought another new addition to our family.  A little baby nephew to love and kiss all over and take to the park and ride the train with and snuggie.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Mr. Snow



This is my Mr. Snow.

We're married.


He can tie a bow tie.  And fix things.  And is really nice.
He speaks Spanish well and understands things like annuities and stuff.
He grew up in Arizona with three sisters.
He has blond hair and blue eyes.
I like him.  A lot.  


pictures by Jonathan Canlas



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Snippet and Ink



Our amazing photographer Jonathan submitted our photos to the lovely Kathryn at Snippet and Ink.  She liked our wedding and decided to feature it.  It was quite an honor since I've been a fan of her beautiful blog for a while.  Check it out here.

To see all of our wedding photos, click here.

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

A year


It's been almost a year since I've touched this blog.  Why?  There are a lot of reasons, but the main one is I started dating a boy who convinced me to marry him.  Most of my free time was spent falling in love with him.  Time well spent.  We've been married for almost four months and I wouldn't change a thing I've done in the last year of my life.  It has been an amazingly blessed year.

Photo by Jonathan Canlas

Monday, May 30, 2011

Memorial Day - let's remember



We owe our lives and freedom to so many. I am grateful.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Dandelions

This is how a 3 year old blows dandelions:


And this is how a 1 year old does it:

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Spring, where are you?



I've been shut up inside all weekend due to illness. This nasty, not niceness of a spring is not making me happy. Although, I do love how fresh and green everything has turned.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Magical



We went in February and it was magical. Sammy still talks about it. I love Disney World.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

My mom



She's pretty much the greatest ever.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

No fear



Jonny (17 months) has no fear. None. Zip. Zero. Ziltch. Needless to say this little guy has a new bruise, bump, chipped tooth, fat lip, or giant scab every week. Yet he is always smiling.
Doesn't make me a very good aunt letting him go down a big slide by himself just so I can get a picture, does it? I am happy to report that there were no injuries on that little trip to the park.
Oh, and the other week, he managed to sneak off and lock himself in a bathroom stall in the little boy's room at the children's museum. His 3 year old brother had to rescue him. Oh Jonny, we love you so.

God bless the USA



This United States monument touches me in a way unlike any of the others. It is a glorious thing to behold at night, all lit up and serene. When you look at those huge figures with the Capitol and Washington Monument off in the distance, you realize how removed those men who fought for freedom were from home and safety. They, like the monument, were removed from everything that was good and comfortable. And I owe my blessed life to their courage and self-sacrifice.

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

My running tree

(taken with an iphone)

There is a tree at the top of a hill by my house. I visit it when I go running and look out across the place where I grew up, the place I call home. It transfixes me every time I see it. I have taken several photos of it as the sun sets in the background. I can't seem to get enough of this tree's silhouette, no matter the season. It must be because I know it will always be there and always be beautiful to look upon. A symbol of my home.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Baby Girl

My work life has been meh. Kind of a busy month of March and April.

But with it came the best part of the year. I have a new niece! We snuggie together and take naps tucked together tightly. She is amazing and beautiful. Here she is at one week. I love being an aunt.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Jamie Riley, photographer





I work with ridiculously talented people. One of my team members took these pictures of me and my eye. He just set up a light after a work meeting and started snapping away. Jamie takes incredible photographs and has had some of the most interesting jobs (like backpacking guide in Glacier National Park). I love friends.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Fresh










It doesn't get much fresher than this. Well, picking it out of your own garden would win. But that's beside the point! The produce at this fruit stand is delicious. Especially their local Honeybell oranges. So juicy that they can't be peeled. You need a bowl and lots of napkins. Mmmm...

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

The lesson of sunscreen



This little guy puts up the biggest fits when he has to get sunscreen put on. Poor thing has transparent skin so there is no getting out of it. He absolutely hates it. He tries to ask other people if he can get out of it, recommends that he'll just stay inside, & suggests that he will wear lots of clothes instead (he's a smart lil guy). As I was putting it on his pure skin at the beach last week, he asked through his cries why he had to get it. I said, "It's like a helmet for your skin." (ps: he loves helmets)

I can't think of one person who likes putting sunscreen on. Especially at the beach. But we have to do it. Some of us more than others. We spread that greasy stuff all over our never ending bodies while sand creeps in and sticks around uninvited. There is no winning in the war against sand. The whole thing is irritating and uncomfortable. But we have to do it.

There are so many things in life that no one likes to do that we have to do. Some of us have more uncomfortable tasks than others, but we all have them. There is no getting around them. Well, actually there is. We could not do them, just like we could not put on sunscreen. But oh how those consequences hurt. And possibly ruin an otherwise pleasant time in our life. Just like a burned lobster red back ruins a good night sleep or time at the pool on our vacation.

So how do we get around these irritating and undesirable tasks? We don't. We just do them and learn that sometimes a little sacrifice of comfort for a short period leads to a better life in the long run. I will still hate putting on sunscreen, just like Sammy. But I'll do it because I know the pain otherwise. And isn't a tan so much more fun than a burn? Thanks for the lesson, sunscreen.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Valentine's Day


I returned from a wonderful vacation yesterday. It was wonderful because I got to spend it with my family in a warm fun place.

Today was one of reading lots of emails, being told all the million changes that happened while I was on vacation, reorganizing messes, and waking up from a nap that turned into a 14 hour nights sleep (in my clothes).

Today I got to celebrate Valentine's in a wonderful way. I got to meet Loraine, Flo, & Elaine. I got to hold their hands, help them with frosting, and hear about husbands. I got to look into their eyes and see the longing for health and love. I got to give love to those who have no one left. It hurt to see their loneliness. But warmed my heart to know that for one hour, I was able to help them remember what it feels like to be loved.
I hope you were able to help someone feel loved today too.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

My imperfect perfect life


I don't have a perfect husband.
I don't have 5 perfect kids.
I'm not a model, movie star, or intern for the President.
I'm not rich.
I'm not crafty or trend-setting.
I'm not an Olympic athlete.
I'm not a ballerina or world famous ballroom dancer (goodness, I can barely touch my toes I'm so inflexible).
I don't live in an exotic place or big city.

But...

I've been to some amazing places.
I love to dance with friends.
I am game for some soccer or a run.
I love reinventing my own style.
I invest what I can and try to save up for the future.
I get to work with fun people and learn something new everyday.
I have 2 beautiful nephews and a niece coming soon.
I know the importance of marriage.

Most importantly I have an eternal family and I know that my Redeemer lives.

Life is perfect.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Go Pack Go



Couldn't have said it better myself.

Thanks to mom for snapping this beaut.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Blizzard 2011









Tuesday night we were let out of work early because a giant storm was on the way. That night it snowed and snowed and snowed, but the worst part was the wind! It was hard to tell how much snow we were getting because the snow was blowing sideways. Through the night we heard the wind beat against the house and in the morning we woke up to 15+ inches of snow. Everything was shut down: schools, businesses, governments offices. Everything. All anyone could do was try and dig themselves out of their houses.
I didn't have to go to work because we were closed. Snow day! It was an awesome day.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Boden Family

















3 sweet little boys who were so obedient and kind to each other.