What's New With Us

Brandon and I have been in our house now for just over a year. We have really loved being home owners, even though it has been hard at times. Back in February Brandon found out the contract he was working for up on Hill Air Force Base was no longer going to be there, and that they were consolidating all the contracts. He was told that everyone was going to be taken by the other contract taking over. Unfortunately that wasn't the case, and Brandon was laid off back at the end of February. At this time we had just started remodeling our bathroom downstairs, so that had to go at a slower pace, because we no longer had the money to fix it up right away. My Dad has been awesome though and has helped out so much with this bathroom.
Brandon began searching for jobs, and he had interviews but nothing seemed to be working out. A month had gone by and still no luck with finding a job. And then one night when we thought it couldn't get any worse, we came home and noticed that our house had flooded. The line behind our refrigerator had a hole in it, and had been leaking for who knows how long. It ended up leaking through the kitchen floor down to the basement, which is where Brandon noticed it when the wall started bulging out.

This was the last thing we wanted to deal with at a time like this. But Brandon and I just stayed strong, and kept praying that everything would turn out ok. We were very blessed, and our home owners insurance ended up paying for almost all of the new floor upstairs, and the wall in the basement.

Brandon ended up being out of a job for 2 months, which seemed like forever to us, but I know it could have been worse. We ended up looking at all this like a blessing in disguise. We always wanted to replace the floor upstairs but knew we wouldn't be doing that for a while, because it isn't cheap. And with Brandon's job, he loved working on Hill Air Force Base, but felt like he wasn't going any where. He found a job working for a company called Executech, which is an IT outsourcing company that goes into businesses that don't want to hire their own IT people. He has loved everything about this job. They give him a company car to use, (which helps because we don't have to drive his gas guzzling truck around)they gave him a new phone, they pay for his insurance 100%, and he works with a good group of people. It was definitely a hard time for us, but we knew we just had to keep praying, and doing everything we were supposed to, and it would all work out just fine. Brandon and I are both very blessed, and so grateful for everything we have. Going through these hard times just makes our relationship even stronger.

We are now continuing on with our little remodeling projects around the house. We are currently in the process of putting in a patio in the backyard. It's a lot of work, but we enjoy the time we spend together, and seeing the end result in all of this is definitely rewarding.

Here are some pictures of our floor, before, during, and after.

Scottish Festival

Brandon's Grandparents recently started a new tradition every year to set up a booth at the Scottish Festivals here in Utah, and to have as many family members come as possible. They had shirts made this year for everyone with the clan name on them with the clan symbol. They recently got into researching about their ancestors, and have found out some pretty neat things. Brandon LOVES learning about his ancestors especially those from Scotland. He even bought himself a kilt so he could look like a true Scotsman. I was a little worried about seeing him in his kilt, and wasn't really sure what to expect, but I have to admit I think he pulled it off! I have picked out material and Brandon's grandma is making me a kilt for the next Scottish Festival! We had a lot of fun, and it is pretty cool to watch the Scottish games. There was even a world record broken on the Weight Over the Bar game. Here are a few pictures.

Valentine's Day!!!

It was my year to plan Valentine's and a week before I still had no idea what I was going to do. We are trying our hardest to save $$$ and so I tried to spend as little as possible. I have to admit I think I succeeded in that. I only spent $42 for out little Valentine's date including dinner, and I thought it turned out so well.

For any of you who don't know Brandon proposed to me in Hawaii. I decided since we don't have the money to go to Hawaii, I would bring Hawaii to us. First off I wrote a note for Brandon and gave it to him Monday morning........

Inside the envelope the note read this............

Of course I meant laid as in a flower lei but any typical guy would not think that way. Any way I get a text message from Brandon Monday morning saying, "ha-ha you are awesome! I love you!" Less than an hour later I get another text message saying, "By the way you have now made it impossible to focus and be at work lol." My plan was totally working.

Any way here is how I decorated. I know pretty cheesy but I thought it turned out cute! I found this funny picture to set the scene of the ocean.

Here is the kitchen table!

I also decorated our side tables and speakers in the living room. I gathered a few pictures of us and our friends while we were in Hawaii.

Brandon took a picture of this really pretty sunset that we watched in Hawaii. My good friend Elise painted this picture of it. The painting turned our awesome!

These little lights along the railing were awesome I found them at all-a-dollar!

For dinner we had Mo Betta Steaks!!! This place is awesome they have the most delicious pulled pork. It totally reminds me of the pig we ate at the Polynesian Cultural Center. And for dessert I was able to find some Pineapple ice cream. Not nearly has good as the Dole Plantation but it worked.

Our Valentine's turned out awesome and Brandon was completely shocked when he got home. When he walked in I had his Lei ready and the first thing I said was let me Lei you. The note finally clicked to him and he just busted up laughing. I'm so grateful for Brandon and all he does for me. He's the best and I'm so glad he is such a good sport, and willing to do anything to make me happy!

I do have to say this. Brandon showed the note to his supervisor Tara at work and another guy. Well the next day Brandon wore his lei to work and when he walked in he said, "Hey Tara I got laid within the first 30 seconds of walking inside." She turned around quickly and said, "seriously?" And then she saw his lei and thought it was the funniest thing. I had no idea he wore the lei to work but I thought it was cute! Any way I hope everyone had a good Valentine's Day!

What a Goof!

This picture was taken on Thanksgiving Day, but I just thought it was so cute and funny so I had to share it. Brandon volunteered to make sweet potatoes, and it was his first time. He watched them like a hawk to make sure they were cooking right!

According to everyone that tried them they were delicious!

Christmas Weekend

I just LOVE Christmas time! I enjoy being able to spend time with both of our family's. This year we started off at Brandon's Grandparents on Christmas Eve.

Here's Brandon's Grandparents opening the gifts we gave them. Brandon's Grandpa was so excited about the Scottish Dirk that we got him. They have a booth every year up at the Scottish Festival in Logan where they display all their stuff about their Scottish heritage.

One of our favorite traditions at Brandon's grandparent's is when we get some kind of a Nerf weapon. Last year everyone got Nerf guns and we had a huge Nerf fight. This year we were all given these swords, as you can tell Brandon was loving it!

After Brandon's Grandparents we went to my cousins house, where we all wore ugly sweaters.

My dad totally cracks me up! He was wearing my great grandma's sweater/vest!

I have to admit my sister and Ryan's sweaters were by far the best.

Isn't my nephews smile just the best.

Every year at my cousins we bring white elephant gifts. Brandon and I thought one of ours this year was pretty awesome, maybe a little inappropriate but totally worth it.

On the box it said, "Obama's stimulus package for those hard times and not so hard times." On the inside this is what you would find!

My Grandma ended up picking ours and was laughing pretty hard.

This gift was also a white elephant gift. It was those horns from the world cup, and the kids were blowing those all night long!!!

Another funny white elephant gift, this nasty mask!

And this white elephant gift is just creepy, it's a burned doll head with red lights as eyes. It has been passed around the family for years.

Brandon and I got our dog this huge raw hide bone that was shaped as a candy cane. She LOVES it!

On Christmas morning Brandon and I woke up at 7:00 to open our gifts to each other. Here are just a few things we got each other.

One of Brandon's favorite shoes to wear! Luckily they last a long time because they aren't cheap!

Yeah, new Nike's!!!

This was my main gift from Brandon. It is a gorgeous picture of the Salt Lake Temple. I love it so much. I have been wanting a picture like this for a long time.

This was another one of Brandon's gift. I know it doesn't look exciting but it is a hard drive for his computer. He was shocked that I got it.

After we finished we headed to my parents for Breakfast and to exchange gifts. Once again my dad cracks me up. He was dancing to the music that his Santa hat was playing.

And once again my nephew's awesome smile.

Later that evening we went to Brandon's parents for dinner, and we also made gingerbread houses. I'm sure you could see how much I was enjoying it. Brandon and I teamed up together and our house was awarded the "special spirit award".

Check out the rest of the gingerbread houses.

Brandon and I enjoyed our Christmas weekend, and wished that hadn't gone by so fast. We are really excited for a new year, and can't wait to see what it holds for us. Brandon and I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and has a great New Year!