Christmastime 2009

Our first Christmas spent together was great! We spent lots of time with each other, family, and friends. I love this time of year just for that reason - the time spent together at parties, playing games, eating lots of great food, exchanging gifts, watching movies, taking naps, etc. I unfortunately didn't have my camera most of the time so I stole all these pictures off my sister's blog.

my parents at the Olsen Christmas party

Christmas Eve at the Bowen's

my Aunt Becky and her white elephant gift

my cute nieces and nephew - Lindsey, Kate, Emily, Hannah, and Jack in the new pajamas

CHRISTMAS MORNING:

Everyone gathered at my parents house around 7:00 a.m. John and Misty had slept over, which meant there were 16 of us in my parents living room opening gifts. Pete, Rich, and I had slept in the living room together on Christmas Eve. It was so much fun being together - I will never forget it. I loved seeing how excited my nieces and nephew were.

Hannah and I opening gifts from Santa

Hannah

Bowen Family

Kate asleep after all the gift opening

John and I left my parents house around noon and spent the rest of the day with his family in Orem. We opened more gifts, played Rock Band, Scene It, and Mad Gab (so funny!), and ate. It was so nice to relax - we spent all day in our pajamas. It was a great day!

Maggi's Wedding - Part 2

The new Mr. and Mrs. Clint Barclay :)

group shot outside the temple

wedding party

Megan and I

Maggi's Wedding - Part 1

Over the weekend I flew out to Ohio for one of my best friend's weddings. Maggi was the first person I met in the singles ward when I lived in Ohio during the summer of 2008. We instantly became great friends and we have stayed in touch since. I was asked to be a bridesmaids and had so much fun being in her wedding! It has made me that much more excited for my own, if that is even possible :)

I flew in Thursday night (December 17th) and made it just in time for Maggi's bridal shower. We played lots of games, including the one where you make a wedding dress out of toilet paper.

We also played a game where we had to put on nylons with oven mits. (I won!)

Friday I was able to spend time with my good friend Melody and her husband Derek. We went to lunch at Red Robin and then spent the rest of the afternoon shopping at the outlet mall. That evening I spent with my favorite family in Ohio, the Rasmussen's, eating pizza and playing games at a friend's house. Saturday was the wedding (I'll post more about that next) and that night I spent with the Rasmussen's agian. It was so much fun to hang out with Kirsten and the kids. I miss them so much already!! Even though I love having Jeannette, Jon, and the kids back, I sometimes miss them living in Ohio, only because it is such a great place to visit!!

State Capitol Dome

Yesterday at work I was able to go up to the VERY top of the State Capitol Building with a few other co-workers. We got the key from security and made our way up to the highest spot you could go. There were a TON of stairs/ladders to climb, but it was really neat. At the very top there was a balcony where we could look out over the whole city - it was so pretty. The only hard part was coming down! I'm just glad I'm not afraid of heights.

The date is set ...

March 20, 2010

12:00 pm

We're Engaged!!

I am still in shock but yes, WE ARE ENGAGED!!!

The setup:

The story:

I got home from work a little after six on Thursday evening (December 10th). John met me at my car and told me there was something he needed to show me in my backyard. We went in my house, down the steps (where there were a dozen red roses), and outside. My backyard was completely lit up with candles in the snow!! There was even a heart made with candles with a J and B in the middle. He gave me a box with candy and a note in it - I started crying. Then John got down on one knee, said some sweet things, and asked me to marry him! And I of course said yes!! (John met with my Dad earlier that afternoon and asked for his permission :))

I was FREEZING - the reason for my purple lips!

We then enjoyed a nice dinner, just the two of us.

I also want to add that my family watched the whole thing. I didn't see them, but apparently they were watching from the upstairs window. When we walked back inside they were all waiting in the kitchen and started cheering. And they even sang John a "welcome to the family" song :)

Work Christmas Party

Governor Herbert, Lt. Governor Bell, and their wives

Las Vegas Marathon

This is what I did over the weekend - the Las Vegas marathon! There were 28,000 participants this year (8,000 marathoners and 20,000 half-marathoners).

5:30 am on the strip

Can you find me?

Funny story about this next picture - John drove to mile 17 to see me. He was only 10 feet away from me, cheering loud, waving his arms, and whistling, but I ran right by without even seeing him. I didn't believe him at first when he told me he saw me. But he had the picture to prove it! I felt bad.

I was "in the zone"

These next two pictures are at the finish line. Same thing happened again - my mom and John were cheering loud and I ran right by without seeing them.

And I didn't even have my music on this time! I was ready to be done.

I was just so happy to be done! My official time was 3:52.33. My goal was to do it under 4 hours and beat my last marathon time of 4:05. My mom and John were such huge supporters - I can't thank them enough for cheering me on (whether I heard them or not :))

Festival of Trees

I made John go to the Festival of Trees with me this year. Even though it was PACKED with people, I still loved looking at all the decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses, etc.

The I Love Lucy tree - my favorite

I was shocked when I looked up on the wall and saw a HUGE picture of my cousins when they were younger (Matt and Katie).

I asked John if we should do this again next year, but he didn't think so :) I loved it - I'll just have to drag someone else with me next time. John was such a great sport about it.

Lights on Temple Square

John and I went and saw the lights on Monday night. It was a bit cold and crowded, but still so pretty nonetheless.

My favorite big red tree! The past few years it hasn't been lit so I was excited that it is this year.




On our way back to the car we decided to stop by the conference center and try and get up on the roof. They told us the roof was closed but asked if we wanted to go on a tour. We have both been in the conference center plenty of times, but asked if they could give us a quick 15 minute tour. It turned out to be the longest 15 minute tour ever! :)