Did You Know?

Did you know that my man is now a college graduate? WHOO-HOO!!! Sammy had his last class this week and takes his last final this Friday, then he is officially a chemical engineer! I am so proud of my smarty-pants husband. Did you know chemical engineering is one of the longest majors at BYU? And all those credits are not easy ones, that's for sure.

Did you know that Sam hates making a big deal out of things? Example 1: He's ok with me throwing a Halloween party, but not a birthday party for him (his bday is 10/30). Example 2: When he came home from his mission he asked that only his parents be at the airport. Example 3: Sam wanted a small wedding. Well, Sam has said from day one he would not be walking at his graduation - he says he is doing his family and friends a favor by not making them sit through a long, boring ceremony :) So, we'll be on our way to Mexico at the time Sam's name is announced in that long, boring ceremony. I guess I can't complain!

Did you know that I like making a big deal out things? I kept it minimal, but I did have to have a celebration night for Sam's huge accomplishment! Last weekend we got a babysitter for Elle and had a nice dinner at Chef's Table with our good friends, Cory and Becca Bowen. Cory is Sam's best friend in his major and I am so happy that they met each other. Becca and I get a little freaked out sometimes when we are together because the two are so similar in a lot of ways. I think this picture shows their relationship quite well...

Always making jokes and laughing at each other.
(You'll have to excuse the lame craftsmanship of the little banner - I decided about 10 mins before we were leaving for dinner that I needed some sort of decor so it was the quickest thing I could whip up. I'm no Pinterest Woman, but I'm happy it was up.)

First, I didn't get any pictures at the restaurant, but our dinner was fabulous. My original plan was to go to the Tree Room at Sundance, but I guess they close seasonally and had not reopened yet. (I'm just glad I tried calling to make reservations and figured that out ahead of time!) So, we gave Chef's Table a try and all were pleased! Great service and yummy food. After dinner, Cory and Becca picked up their puppy, Peanut, and came over with more friends, Steve and Jory, for some cake and martinellis. Elle is slightly afraid of "Uncle Cory" so this picture makes me laugh because I think she was watching him to make sure he didn't pull a fast one on her and do anything crazy. (I have to add that Elle does like Peanut, and the first time she met him she started giggling - it was the cutest. Peanut is in love with her.)

The two ChemE graduates...

I made my mom's chocolate wrap cake (it's always a favorite)

Elle was asleep when we came home from dinner, but had to join the party for a bit before going back down for the night

Congratulations, Sammy! Thanks for giving us something great to celebrate. I am so proud of you and all of your hard work. I am proud of the great job you have lined up and feel so blessed that because of your hard work and job, I've been able to be a full-time mommy since Elle was born. I think it's cute when you try and teach me about heat and mass transfer and explain what is burning out of the huge flames coming out of the pipes at the plant just north of Salt Lake every time we drive by :) I'm thankful for you making time to be the best Dad to Elle and a wonderful husband to me while keeping good grades and also attending to your church responsibilities. You are amazing. Ready or not, Wyoming here we come!

Did you know Sam isn't going to like that I wrote a braggy post about him? Sorry, hun.

Easter 2013

I'm already a lover of all holidays, but I have to say that the holidays get even better when celebrating with your own child - I can only imagine what it will be like when Eleanor actually understands that holidays are special days! Since Elle has no concept of half the things going on around her I did hold back, but I wanted to do something for my princess on Easter so she got two new church books. She was showing off her new skill of sitting up for the photos (she doesn't last very long, but she's getting there!)

I think she likes them :)

Before heading to church, Sam stood Elle up to snap a photo of her on his phone and she just kept standing there...we were waiting for her to lose her balance or get tired but she stood firmly in place! So, of course I had to grab my camera for some shots. I thought she looked so cute for her first Easter Sunday!

Appropriately enough, it was a beautiful day here in Provo (hooray!). The three of us walked to church to enjoy the warm sunshine. We had nice church meetings and I was happy for time to reflect on Christ's resurrection and what that means to me personally. 

After our meetings we had to get some Easter family photos:

 And I'm sorta obsessed of these shots I got of my baby girl and her daddy. The only time we can get Elle to giggle is when Sam throws her in the air - she loves it!

We got to Skype with my parents for a few minutes before heading out the door (this is an especially big deal because they're out traveling and you can never predict what internet connection they'll have so I was so happy they got a hold of us). We drove up to G's house and had a nice time with G, Sallee, Sam's Aunt Julie, Uncle Brad and cousin Spike. As usual, good food and great company.  

 

It was a relaxing, beautiful Easter day and I am very grateful I got to spend it with my little family. Our Sunday School teacher referenced the talk "None Were With Him" by Elder Holland a lot and my friend Dani posted the Mormon Messages video from it on her blog. I loved it so much I wanted to share as well: