Sealing Weekend

My dad, brother Sean, sister-in-law Jen, and their two kids, Carson and Addison came to be here for our special weekend! It was so nice having them all here, and we loved every minute of it!While we had everyone together, we celebrated Ben's 25 birthday!We enjoyed having family around, and we're so grateful they came to be here for Joe and I as we went through the temple for the first time!

Brittany's 23rd Birthday

Every year, I say that that years birthday was the best!
But this year, it really was :)

First, Joe took me out to dinner, to one of my favorite restaurants.
After dinner, Joe was acting very strange.

We came back home, because he said "he had to let the dogs out."
I thought that was pretty weird, but didn't really think much about it.

As we were opening our door, I heard noises! I thought someone had broken into our house! Then, out pops our friends Betsy and Jeff, and their two little girls!
They had snuck into our house, and decorated it while we were gone!
And they did a really good job!Then Joe surprised me with my gift. A sewing machine!
After opening my gift, and eating the very yummy cake my friend had brought, Addie (our friends oldest daughter) came in from outside, and told me she had a birthday surprise for me!
So I closed my eyes, and went out back. She had tied some of the balloons to the fence.
How sweet is she!



It was an awesome birthday, filled with surprises!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Today, is Joe's 24th birthday!
I finally get to gush about all the reasons why I love my baby!

I love Joe because...

~He makes me laugh, especially when I need to!
~He's oh so handsome!
~He absolutely loves his family, and would do anything for them.
~He's very smart.
~He is successful and goal oriented.
~He's driven.
~He makes my dreams come true. He does a lot of the things he does, because he wants to see all my dreams come true, and I love that about him.
~He's always the one to say he's sorry, and mend a situation. Even when it's clearly me just being a brat ;)
~He's always by my side.
On my 18th birthday, Joe purposed to me. In my birthday card, he wrote "You will never be alone again. I promise I will always be by your side." I remember a weight being lifted off my shoulders, and I quietly took a sigh of relief. Those words comforted me in ways I can't begin to describe. I love Joe because he has kept that promise to me. I don't think either of us knew what lied ahead of us, and how much that promise would be tested.
A week after getting married, my arthritis completely flared after trying to work a day at Wal-Mart. For 2 weeks after, I could barely move. Joe had to help me do everything. And I mean EVERYTHING! We were 2 young newlyweds, married for only a week, and already we faced huge challenges. I thought to myself "This has to be too much for him. I know this is not how he pictured married life. He must be wondering what the heck he got himself into!" I would apologize repeatedly, and Joe's response was always "I love you, and this makes us stronger." I seriously love this man!
~ I love Joe for his strength. He's AWAYS been strong for me. Even as a 19 year old newlywed.
~He goes to any length to put a smile on my face. I love that when he sees me smile, he smiles.
~He has a thirst for knowledge.
~He has a strong and beautiful testimony.
~He tells me I'm beautiful each and every day.
~He fills my heart with love.
~He believes in me.
~He has a very big heart.
~He has a soft and sweet spirit.
~He cries at the end of chick flicks, and isn't too manly to admit it.
~He is going to be a wonderful father. I can already see the love he has for our children, even though he hasn't met them yet.
~He's always striving to be better.
~He's an absolute wonderful husband and friend, and I couldn't have asked for more!

I love you with all my heart Joe!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETHEART!!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Today, I made 24 cupcakes, for Ben's 24th birthday...He enjoyed them (he ate 4 while I was there), and so did Kismet!

We're getting older, and it's kinda sad...
I remember when he taught me how to climb the counter so I could get things I wanted in the kitchen...like cookies ;)
I remember his 1st day of school, and I cried because I couldn't go with him. And when he calmed my nerves on my 1st day of school.
I remember when he would use his allowance money to buy me candy.
I'll never forget when he brought me a tiny little kitty he found, to cheer me up when I cut my knee on a piece of glass. I felt really loved. Every time I see the scar on my knee, I think of it. (we ended up keeping the tiny little kitty:)
I have so many warm memories of the two of us together!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday. This is Joe posting by the way. I couldn't let Brittany have all of the birthday fun... HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD. We LOVE and miss you very much. All of the years that I spent growing up with Dad, I always wanted to put him on the spot. Now here's my chance!

My Dad is an interesting guy. He can fix just about anything, can make you laugh with a simple comment, is a big teddy bear, and has a powerful testimony of the Gospel. He has always been there for my brother, sister, and I. We all respect and love him dearly, and wouldn't know what to do without him. I am so grateful that we can celebrate yet another notch on the belt with my OLD MAN. To celebrate his birthday, I would like to share some experiences with you for some kicks and giggles.

First of all, You can't beat this! This is my Dad's senior picture. CLASSIC!

Next, we have the following goofy sunset pic from his recent trip to Colorado ...
My Dad threw me a sweet graduation party. He's always trying to please...
I mean, just look at this. He's guarding my parking spot the day of my wedding. Ain't no one parking here... LOL
Dad and Marky on her graduation day.
Dad leading Chris into battle. I wouldn't mind someone like Dad watching my back. Just imagine what he could do with that cane...LOL
This was his idea of a simple project...building and ARMY TANK! And yes, it does work, is remote controlled, and shoots stuff!
My Dad and I working on the old garage back in New York during 2005. I miss home...
Just before Brittany and I left home for Colorado... This was a very sad day.

Dad baptizing Marky when she was 8. We were all so happy for Marky that day, but no one more than my Dad.

Dad walking around the 16th Street Mall in Denver, Colorado.

All of us at the Denver Aquarium. I think Dad could have taken the shark. Anyone else think so?

Dad's first trip on the Light Rail. Don't let him kid you. He loved it.
The boys out hunting clay pigeons. Check out the video below to see Dad shoot a shotty...
This is Dad firing a shotgun "1 time". Um, I counted like 2, and he missed both clays LOL.


To funny. Dad thinks he's the the man with a handgun.


Finally, one of my favorites! Dad, I miss you and LOVE you. Happy Birthday. I can't wait to take some more pictures like this soon!

Happy Birthday Sean!

I LOVE my brother Sean...Here are just a few (because I could seriously go on for days if you let me) reasons why:

~He is totally smart
~He is hard working
~He has a great personality
~He has a kind and compassionate heart
~He is goal oriented
~He is a good example
~He has a beautiful testimony
~He is a loving (awesome) husband and father
~He is outgoing and fun to be around
~He is the best brother anyone could ask for!Happy Birthday Sean!
Thanks for being everything that you are!!
WE LOVE YOU!!

Happy Birthday Chris!

We love our Christopher!Here are just a few things that make him the wonderful guy/brother that he is:

*He is super-de-duper FUNNY
*He is KIND
*He has a BIG HEART
*He has a POWERFUL TESTIMONY
*He is COMPASSIONATE
*He is LOADS OF FUN TO BE AROUND
*He has a SOFT/SWEET SPIRIT
*He is EASY TO BE AROUND, and FRIENDLY TO EVERYONE
*He is a GREAT BROTHER!!We love you Chris!
Happy Birthday!