Jose's {Birthday} Weekend

This week it was Jose’s birthday! On Wednesday we went out to dinner together at the Cheesecake Factory! Jose and I love this place! We got some great food, but my favorite thing was the crispy crab wontons with sweet chili sauce. Of course, we also got cheesecake. It was a nice evening just to ourselves, but the birthday celebrations were just beginning.

I kept bugging him about what he wanted for his Thursday night birthday dinner and he simply said, “Surprise me.” So I did. On Thursday I had our friends show up all at once to surprise Jose with a party! I made a bunch of food and we played games and just chatted. Jose wanted Death by Chocolate, so that was his ‘cake’. It was so yummy! Jose had a great time with all of our friends!

Then Friday morning (his actual birthday) I made him breakfast and woke him up just before his alarm. He loved having breakfast with me before he headed to work. That evening, we went to dinner at his parents’ where we ate carne asada, rice, potatoes, and watermelon! Jose got tres leches for his cake that night!

Happy birthday to my husband, my rock and my best friend. I love you Jose!

First {Home Cooked} Dinner

Jose and I brought fresh salmon home from Pike Place on the plane. So of course, I was excited to cook some up for him and make our first home cooked dinner together special.

 I prepared the fish with some olive oil and salt, broiled for 6 minutes, and then pulled it out to put on the brown sugar. While I was trying to get it out of an under stove oven, I managed to burn my wrist and hand on the coil. OUCH! Initially it hurt, but I ran it under some cool water for a second and then finished preparing dinner.

Jose and I enjoyed a dinner of garlic roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, brown sugared salmon, and Martinelli’s. Even though I cooked for him before, I was actually so nervous about this dinner because 1) it was our first meal as husband and wife and 2) Jose is very particular about his seafood. He had told me that he doesn’t eat a lot because he hasn’t found some that he actually really enjoys, that doesn’t taste like the ocean. But he gave my salmon 7.5 out of 10! I call that a win considering I’ve cooked salmon once before that night.

By the time we finished eating Jose noticed the burns on my hand and asked me what happened. I told him and we consulted our nurse Ilene for some advice. She recommended a few things and after some consideration and more advice, we went to the urgent care. They cleaned it out really good, put some ointment on it and sent us home with instructions to watch for infection and range of motion problems because of where it is on my hand.

It’s healing now, but I think I will always have a scar from our first home cooked dinner as a married couple... not a bad thing to have a reminder of I think.

{Honeymoon} in Seattle

I have to say that Seattle, Washington is my favorite city in the world. Granted, I have only been there in July so I have never seen it rain and I’m not sure how I would feel about it when I have to get around in the rain. But regardless, when Jose and I were talking about our honeymoon, we each listed 4 places we would like to go for our honeymoon and then looked at them both to decide. Two matched up- Washington and Hawaii, with Washington being at the top of both lists. Jose served his mission in Spokane, but had never been to Seattle so he was excited to go.

The picture on the bottom right is Jose's face right as the wheels left the runway.

The last time Jose was on a plane was when he flew to Utah 15 years ago (he took a bus to his mission). He was so excited to fly he just kept grinning, reading safety handouts, and chatting about planes until it was time for takeoff. It was so fun to see his face as we took off!

The view from our hotel

Once we got to Seattle we checked in to our hotel, Inn at the Market. The view from the room was awesome looking out at the Public Market, and there was a deck on the roof that we could see the piers and the sound from. Jose took some amazing pictures from there, and a lot over the next few days of people on the street and some of the street art that was around Pike Place. He even captured my experience placing my gum on the gum wall in Post Aly perfectly.

Just before riding the Great Wheel

Not cute, but exactly how I felt about the wall.

 Too bad I HAD to put my gum there or I would regret not doing it.

I did it!

The street art was amazing!

We had so much fun exploring the market, the waterfront, and even made it over to the Space Needle (although we didn’t get to go up because they were sold out). We rode the Great Wheel over the water, and had so many laughs together. Jose was so sweet the whole time, making sure that we got to do everything that I wanted to do. I am so grateful to be married to my best friend, and I’m so in love with him.

Our Wedding Day {July 10th, 2015}

(This will be updated when we get the pictures back!)

This was by far the best day of our lives so far. I can say that because Jose told me it was his and it was definitely mine. It all started out with a brunch in the morning for just our families. It began a bit late and was missing a lot of family because Jose’s cousin had a medical emergency and had to go to the hospital (she ended up being okay). Even after that late start, we enjoyed a nice breakfast and each of our dads gave a little speech, with Jose translating for both families. It was a nice start to the day and gave everyone a chance to be on time to our sealing.

Jose and I went to the temple together, and were sealed to each other for all eternity just after 1:00. I cannot express how incredible I felt during that temple ceremony. The spirit and the love was so strong I could not stop smiling. I am so grateful to Heavenly Father for the plan he has laid out for us; the plan that allows us the opportunity to be together forever as a family. I am also grateful that Jose is a worthy priesthood holder who was worthy to enter the temple and make those covenants with me.

That night we had a party I will never forget! We had tons of food, family, friends, and dancing! I was almost overwhelmed with the amount of people who showed up to celebrate with us. We had a blast visit friends and family, and there were a few guests that were extra special. People we hadn’t seen in a while. Like for me, it was my Uncle Theron, Aunt Jen, and Uncle Gary, and my grandma Adele. They each traveled a long way to be there. I wish I had more time to visit each of them, but I was so happy to see them there. For Jose, there was a lot of family that flew in from New York and I know he was so happy to have them there, but also his mission president made a surprise appearance. That meant a lot to Jose to have President and Sister Palmer come see us.

Thanks to everyone who came, and especially those who traveled a long way to be there. We love and appreciate everyone who came to celebrate with us! Thank you for being a part of our best day!

Jose saw {the dress}

Last Monday, Jose and I went up to Tibble Fork in American Fork canyon to take bridal pictures (which we will display at the reception). But up to that point, Jose had not seen my dress. I wanted to photograph him seeing it for the first time and it could not have been better!

I loved this moment and am so glad I was able to capture it and keep it forever. I am so excited to be sealed to Jose in just 4 days!  

P.S. We have the best photographer! Thanks Ashlee!

Independence Day {Traditions}

Pretty much my favorite holiday is Independence Day. I love getting dressed up in red, white and blue, and going out to the various activities that happen this time of year. So of course, this year I got to take my fiancé to experience all the traditions I have come to love!

First off, Lehi Round-up week. This always falls the week before the fourth, so it's a perfect kickoff to the holiday. On Friday evening, we headed to main street for Lucky's snow cones, and found a nice spot on the grass to enjoy the kids parade. Then we headed to the rodeo grounds and picked up some burgers before the rodeo started. Lehi's rodeo has the BEST BURGERS EVER! Jose ate 4 because he liked them so much (and they aren't very big). We had a great time at the rodeo together and I loved sharing my favorite part of life in Lehi with Jose.

Another favorite part of this holiday for me is my neighborhood's annual block party. We spent a few hours the night before baking blue cupcakes to take. We enjoyed music, food, fireworks, and friends! My little niece came and, my goodness, that girl has a crush on Jose! She hugged him probably 20 times and kept telling him she loved him, and even asked for my seat so she could sit next to him! They were so cute playing together!

On the 4th, we plan to go enjoy the Thanksgiving Point fireworks, which is actually a new thing for me. I have gone only once before and it was a while ago. Normally I spend this week volunteering for Stadium of Fire and enjoying the show, but I decided it would probably be too much to do with the wedding coming next week.

So while we have enjoyed some old traditions, we are also thinking about all the new traditions we will be enjoying in our life together and with our future family.