Happy Anniversary!!

Today is our 4 year anniversary!

So I thought I would give a shout out to my best friend Dan! This has been the best 4 years of my life! Dan makes me so happy. He is such a great friend to me. Without being too cheesy, I just love him with all of my heart! I really don't think a day has past where Dan hasn't made me laugh. Here are some photos that make me smile thinking back on the good ol' times.

One day, he decided to put on 5 shirts at once, and then he proceeded to dance around performing all different air instruments. I really almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard...

The cutest smile. I love this picture.

I feel so blessed to have Dan as my partner and lover! Thank you for all you do for me!

Sure love you! Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my Mom's birthday! She is such a great Mom, wife, grandma, and friend! Here are some photos I found of her that will show just how great she is!

One of the things that I love about my mom is how she can have fun. She dresses up every year for Halloween! Here is a picture of her (as a cave woman), my dad, and Sam on Halloween of 2008. That is some serious dedication to have her whole face painted black!

My mom is the Queen of taking pictures. I love this picture of her because this is how I often see her, with a camera in front of her. She is making one great history for our family, I am sure of it! If I ever forget to bring my camera along, rest assured mom will have hers.

Mom is a wonderful Grandma. She loves to spend time with the little kiddies. She will get right down on the floor and play with them, and the grand kids love it. It is really special for me to watch her as a grandma because I realize that is what she was like as a mom to me. She is so creative and thinks of fun things to do with them. She loves them so much.

My mom is interested in our lives! This picture was taken when my parents came and visited us in San Francisco. It meant a lot that my parents came out and visited us. She wanted to see and hear everything about San Francisco. She is involved and cares a lot about our lives. She tries to help us, and it means so much that she is there!

My mom has a strong testimony of the gospel. She studies the scriptures every day, faithfully! She gives 110% to any calling that she has in the church. She does so much behind the scenes and serves constantly. I have many memories of her making dinner for people in the ward. She spends so much time preparing for lessons, and she makes an active life of living the gospel.

My mom loves my dad. They are so cute together, even after 32 years of marriage. This is one of my favorite pictures of them. It is so natural and sweet.

My mom is the such a good mom! She has always been there for me. During hard times and during good times. Thanks for giving your life to all of us kids mom!

I LOVE YOU!!! Happy Birthday!

Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

Friends, let me tell you that I have found my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe! It has the perfect sweetness and salt, crunchy outside and soft center. Sigh...

My sister-in-law, Mia, found this recipe and now I will pass it along to you. Thanks be to MIA!!!

Just so you know, THIS COULD BE DANGEROUS!!!

Really Good Chocolate Chip Cookies

*This recipe was clipped out of the San Francisco Chronicle many years ago. There was a cookie recipe contest and this one won.

Serves 10 - or less if you are like me :)

1 cup softened butter (I tried it with 1/2 butter and 1/2 butter crisco and I like it that way too)

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/3 cups sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

24 oz. Chocolate Chips (I didn't use a full 24 oz. I used Hershey's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and used maybe 18 oz.)

2 cups nuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream butter with sugars until light and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and eggs until smooth. Mix flour, soda, salt in a separate bowl then add to creamed mixture. Add chocolate chips and nuts. Stir. Bake 12 minutes.

Home... Safe and Sound

Just about a month ago we packed up this Penske and drove back home to Salt Lake City.

We hired 2 great movers to help us pack up. I was so glad that we had their help because we ended up filling the truck right to the brim. Their expertise was a life saver as they arranged everything in the truck. It was like fitting in all the pieces of the puzzle. I wasn't sure how Dan and I would have done it without their help. This was what it looked like only 1/4 full.

It was a really strange feeling seeing our apartment completely empty. Walking out of the apartment was kind of like saying goodbye to an old friend. It actually was much harder than I thought it would be.

But I was comforted when I saw these bums as we were entering the freeway...

Goodbye Frisco Bums!

When we arrived home, fall was out full force. I wish I would have taken pictures of the leaves. But it was beautiful. I realized that I missed earth smells, crispy leaves, the mountains, and the smell of grass! Usually it is snowy by early November, but I think we were lucky and fall lingered a little longer.

It did end up snowing last Saturday and I took pictures of the blizzard...

I didn't go anywhere! I just stayed inside, nice and cozy, with the fire going. It was absolutely beautiful outside.

In other news, I cut my hair! It feels so good to be re-united with my beloved hairdresser.

Dan is really enjoying his job. Things are going great with him. I thought I would just show you that he hasn't changed too much... still as cute as ever!

Now I need to explain why I really am glad I am back.

It is all because of these little gems... my nieces and nephews!

Sam and Will

Levi

Patrick

Eliza

Jane, Scott, David, and Sadie

These little ones are who I have missed most! Who wouldn't after seeing these darling faces?

Overall, it really is great being back. I miss San Francisco, but there really is no place like home.

On the Move!

Just a year ago, we moved to San Francisco. It has been quiet a journey for us. Challenging, adventurous, thrilling, tasking, exciting, and emotional are some words I would use to describe this past year. But this next Wednesday Dan and I are moving back to Salt Lake City. It is completely bittersweet, but it will be good to enter a new chapter.

Here is what my house looks like right now...

In thinking about living here this past year, I have really loved every minute of it. Dan and I have grown so close as we have really relied on each other. I couldn't be more grateful for this experience and I will always think fondly of it. I will forever remember the amazing people I met out here that made a difference in my life.

I guess the song really is true, in some ways I think I did leave my heart in San Francisco.

Judd and Lindsay, how we love you!

We were lucky to get some visitors a couple weekends ago! Judd and Lindsay drove the 11.5 hours from Salt Lake to come see us and San Francisco. We couldn't have been happier to have them here.

Judd and Dan have been good friends since they were born a couple days apart 26 years ago. They have kept their friendship alive since then. Lindsay and I became even greater friends once we met and although we weren't born at the same time, we sure like each other. Thank goodness we married friends because my life is better having her as a friend.

One of the best things about being with Judd and Lindsay is how we have similar interest. We had 2 full days of fun, adventure, and good food.

Here are some pictures of the good times...

Dan and Judd navigating us around

Foggy world on the GG bridge

BIRD ISLAND!!!!

We found this old military battery. We were really proud of ourselves for this.

Beautiful foggy views on Point Bonita

As we were driving away from the coast we found a pack of raccoons who apparently live in these dumpsters. We stayed inside the car of course and ended up watching them for upwards 5-10 minutes. There were probably about 7 or 8 raccoons.

Cute little fellas, if you like rabies!

It made me think of our little raccoon friend behind our apartment.

Stopped again at the base of GG bridge on our way back to the city.

We are so best friends...

While gazing at the bridge, we happened to see these crazy people on their photo-shoot. Don't look too close, I am pretty sure they are naked under those white cloaks.

I like to think they are taking their engagement photo.

Rodeo beach

While the sun was setting, the Highland Games began. I don't know if anyone was deemed the winner but you can decide for yourself.

Flies up

Seals at Pier 39

We had one of my favorite little treats... a chocolate velvet cupcake from Kara's Cupcakes in Ghirardelli Square.

Baker beach

Dan and Judd were determined to jump in the water... here they go!

True love

Cheers to Judd and Lindsay!

We had such a great time with you guys! Thank you for driving a total of 23 hours for 2 days of hang out time. It was so great to be with you. Loved every min of it.