matt's birthday

 The big 2-8!

Since we were going to be in California for Matt's birthday, I had to put up the awesome birthday banner my sister-in-law, Adrianne, had made for us a couple weeks before his birthday. Matt is wearing the North Face zip-up I got him as he is opening up my parent's gifts in the pictures below.

Once we got to CA, we had a fancy dinner at San Ysidro Ranch, a beautiful, romantic resort in Montecito the day before his birthday. On his actual birthday, November 3rd, we celebrated with family at Rusty's Pizza Parlor and Matt's mom had decorated the party room and got the best birthday hats and glasses for him and the kids to wear. Like last year, Matt wanted Costco's pumpkin pie and red velvet cake for his birthday. He also was sung to not once, but twice. Once for the cake and the other by his sister and adorable nephews.

another utah trip and more sister time

I got to see my sis for the third time this summer. With our friend's wedding and Rach's last week of summer break, I am a lucky girl to have spent time with her, Manti, friends and enjoy a little bit of the hot, Utah summer. Every time I visit Utah now, I get more and more nostalgic for the mountains and BYU. Never thought I would miss school, but BYU/Provo is definitely a place like no other.

I came in on Rach's birthday, we got In-N-Out for dinner and Manti surprised Rach and I with Rach's favorite chocolate cake from La Jolla Groves and birthday candles to celebrate our August birthdays. Manti is awesome and I could go on and on about what a great brother-in-law he is.

I love spending time with these two and my time in Utah went by way too fast!

birthday celebration

After making a landscape plan for my sister-in-law, we unexpectedly got a generous gift certificate to eat at DOC and decided to use it for my birthday celebration last weekend. Matt is working in Philadelphia this week and could not be with me on my actual birthday.

The restaurant is small and fancy with a tiny kitchen at the entrance when you walk through the door. We tried the 'Taste Menu', where you get whatever the chefs want to serve. Matt faced the kitchen during our dinner, so he could see what was coming out before I could. When he saw the oysters were coming he said to me "Are you going to eat everything that we get?" I took that as a challenge and said of course. One second later, the oysters were placed on our table and Matt had a big smile on his face. My husband is a trickster. These delicacies are definitely an acquired taste. I had to be extra adventurous to finish my fair share. The two and a half hour dinner was delicious and Matt referred to each dish as another "flavor explosion". It was a special treat.

Afterwards, we saw the new Planet of the Apes and give it a thumbs up. I do not feel mature enough to be 24, but maybe I will catch up this year!

happy 27th birthday, bu!

I love you, I love you, I love you!


Aren't you glad that the birthdays are over where you would have to hide in my apartment in fear of what your roommates would do to you?

8.9.10

I turned 23 yesterday, 23! It crept up so fast and I'm not sure if I'm ready for it.

The special treatment started at Lake Powell when Matt's family surprised me with a krispie treat cake covered in chocolate frosting and sang to me.

Then we went up to Park City the day before my birthday to visits my parents, where I opened presents and had a birthday cake. That day we went to the Art festival and there was so many different kinds of beautiful art.

These coffee table/wood drums were so cool!

These kids loved playing with the nozzles of this machine/sculpture, water would dump on them unxpectedly from different parts.

The day of my birthday Matt gave me our last wedding gift card to buy whatever I wanted and we found hiking shoes I needed. I'm excited to try them out. Beau also made delicious, made from scratch, chili and bought Kneader's bread bowls to eat out of. Best chili I have ever had. After dinner, we went to Rock Canyon park for the movie showing of Penelope, I've been meaning to see it and it was really good. It was fun to be outside at the park sitting on blankets with the view of the sunset waiting for the movie to start, listening to people karaoke, then watching the movie and having a view of the stars. My sis bought pints of Costco gelato (my favorite) for us to eat while watching the movie. I will never shop at Costco again without stopping at the food court for a cone of their gelato.

I had a great birthday and I am so grateful for everyone who made it so special!

happy birthday nathan and america!

Every 4th of July growing up meant two things:

Celebrating the Independence of the US of A

&

Nathan's birthday.

(Must be nice to have fireworks every year on your birthday!)

I am so grateful for my brother. He is funny, smart, outgoing, hard-working, a great dancer, and loves his little sisters and family very much. Happy birthday big bro!

Nathan's wedding. February 2010.

I have the best brothers. Two have/are serving in the military and you can't celebrate the 4th of July without celebrating all those who have sacrificed and served to protect us and our freedoms. It takes a lot of courage and love for our country to be a member of the armed forces. We owe them for all we have.

Steve in Afghanistan. March 2010.

I stole this picture from Adrianne's blog. I couldn't find pictures of Matt in his Navy attire, but Luke is looking precious in the camo. Matt and Luke in San Diego. 2008. I hope Matt and I have cute babes like Adrianne and Matt!

Aren't my brothers handsome? I am so proud of them for who they are and what they have become! I am one lucky sister.


Last weekend, Matt and I drove to Pocotello, Idaho to spend time with Matt's Grandma and Dad. We went through his Grandma's old pictures and had the favorites copied at Kinkos. It was really fun to look through the old black an white photos.

 This is Matt's grandpa, Tolbert. During WWII, he lied about his age and enlisted in the Navy at 17. He fought in the Pacific as a Seabee with the rank of MOMM1 (Motor Machinist Mate 1st Class) and earned the Purple Heart.

America is the greatest country in the world and I am so blessed to live here!

what should have been posted

Last summer's trip to SB.

Matt's nephew, Brandon. So cute.

A wedding ceremony by paddle board: Can you see the bride, groom and best man and bridesmaid?

Riding around the coast. Matt did most of the pedaling.

The day after Matt told his grandpa about the BEST tri-tip sandwiches place in Santa Barbara, we ran into him there.

Idaho: Brunt's Cabin Trip with Texas friends

John's birthday party

Utah State Fair

BYU game

Costume 5k: Matt got stung by a bee, I got lots of side cramps, we got in last place. haha!

Rach of course killed it and jumped back into the race to finish with us.

College Gameday in Provo

Whoa, frizzy morning hair.

Matt's 26th birhday. Friends joined us at Tucano's and I made Sprinkles Red Velvet cupcakes. Mhmm.

Baby Kobe

Matt made HOMEMADE flour tortillas.

Christmas in SB

Matt trying on the onesies in the little boys section.

Wrestling with Uncle Matt

Noah and Brandon

I was the first to sit on Santa's lap. (Cousin Austin)

Matt and Baby Violet